The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
When the vapour hits the air
When the button feels your touch
It's fall just like you sense
It'll fall just like you sense
Into some forgotten sea
Where the envy and the hate
Swim around in figure eights
Swim around in figure eights
We descend so easily
And give it up for short-term memory
Fight your nature if you can
And hope for heaven where we land
All the arms around you now
Could they ever catch you then?
First you tell me not to fret
Then you frighten me again
Can't you listen to the least?
Can't you do with any less?
I was only getting dressed
Now I'm getting disaffected and
You're the brother and the beast
You're the friend I knew the best
Can't you listen to the past?
Can't you let this sickness pass?
It'll fall just like you said (x4)
When the button feels your touch
It's fall just like you sense
It'll fall just like you sense
Into some forgotten sea
Where the envy and the hate
Swim around in figure eights
Swim around in figure eights
We descend so easily
And give it up for short-term memory
Fight your nature if you can
And hope for heaven where we land
All the arms around you now
Could they ever catch you then?
First you tell me not to fret
Then you frighten me again
Can't you listen to the least?
Can't you do with any less?
I was only getting dressed
Now I'm getting disaffected and
You're the brother and the beast
You're the friend I knew the best
Can't you listen to the past?
Can't you let this sickness pass?
It'll fall just like you said (x4)
Lyrics submitted by _ellie, edited by OKRadiohead97
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this song is really good, but i don't understand why halloween, alaska's never been heard of bcuz they have a couple good songs. this song is from the end of the first episode of the oc, during the second season. it's really good, but i have no clue what it means..i just like it
i think it has to do with someone who keeps making things worse and creating problems. when this person pushes the button, it all falls into a sea of envy and hate - this person is filled with jealousy and hatred. people will try to support this person but it isn't enough. she's not consistent (i say she just because) - "first you tell me not to fret, then you frighten me again" - she tells him not to worry but still gives him cause to worry. i think she has a depression problem "can't you let the sickness pass?" and she won't let go of it. because of this, "it'll fall, just like you said."
my mate keeps telling me that this is a good song. From the OC right?
have NO clu wht its about really, kind of has some meaning in my head, but i cnt explain?! i just love it tho. bloody wicked
I've always struggled with the meaning behind it, too. I'm sure it's there, but the lyrics are just too vague and ambiguous for myself to really find a true meaning out of it.
In a way, I agree with suchprettywords. I've always interpretted the song as, to put it simply, cynicism. It seemed to be that he is talking about how humans are always doing something wrong: creating problems and ignoring them, or going around in circles in an attempt to address the issues without resolving them (swim around in figue eights). I personally believe they're talking about the environmental problems we are creating, and how we're basically destroying our earth. The hints can be found throughout the song, I don't think I need to point them out to you.
But yes, that's just my interpretation. Like I said above, the lyrics are far too vague for there to be an obvious, set meaning.
It's about a person who has become so sensitized to what the world everything going on around him that he realizes that even the vapour makes a difference and that the world is like a touch screen that responds to even the lightest tap, because they've finally realized what the world is and how even the best friend can betray and hurt, despite what another's perceptions are. It's like, the brother and the beast, because sometimes those who are closest hurt you the most and anything they do can hurt despite best intentions. It's really a sad song, but very, very happy in the same way. It's like a coming of age thing. I always associate it with Catcher in the Rye or MacBeth.
That's at least my interpretation of it.
I think is about a person who brings up dying to another person.
"All the arms around you now Could they ever catch you then"
I think this is talking about death. Can anything help you when you are dead and your eternity is being judged. The narrator doesn't want to think about this. I don't know really.
^.^<br /> <br /> In my own intepretation of the song, these two lines ask whether the people around "you" now could have helped you before.
Alright, I'm taking a whole different spin to this song meaning. I believe it pertains to war & government.
I'll go verse by verse.
"When the vapour hits the air When the button feels your touch It's fall just like you sense It'll fall just like you sense"
"Into some forgotten space Where the envy and the hate Swim around in figure eights Swim around in figure eights"
"We descend so easily Give it up for short-term memory Fight your nature if you can And hope for heaven where we land"
"All the arms around you now Could they ever catch you then First they tell me not to fret Then you frighten me again"
"Can't you listen to the least Can't you do with any less I was only getting dressed Now im gettin disaffected and"
"You're the brother and the beast You're the friend i knew the best Can't you listen to the past Can't you let the singles pass"
this song is clearly about drug addiction.
clearly?
i'm pretty sure it's "can't you listen to the past? can't you let the sickness pass?"