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.
Give him back his sweater
that poor fellow has only orchestrated symphonies
into the poisoned ant hills
You have tried I'm afraid
don't let it hurt
I shouldn't stay
show your cards now
I want out stain the tub
clot the streak
cock the wheel
push it deep
fallen shade drowsy left me hopeless
carve my head
great disguise took a breath
gave it back
early-aged,self pitying, misfit, experience, coincidence, quality menstruating.
it makes more sense to speak nonsense
What is it like to scatter organs all over a deeply pasteurized land
Just like a cat without a mouse
it masturbates
it violates Sadistic dresser
Maybe it's the ability to choose
that makes a wounded player take to the field
and laugh at his injury
than to be fed peas and carrots by his sitter
Farewell to the oldsmobile
acknowledge the new models
farewell farewell
Set me back in my old sweater
for an hour or two
I can obtain satisfaction mutilating ones humilating me
You have tried I'm afraid
don't let it hurt
I shouldn't stay
show your cards
now I want out
strain the tub
clot the steak
cock the wheel
push it deep
fallen shade drowsy left me hopeless
carve my head
great disguise took a breath gave it back
early-aged self pitying misfit
What is the point of laying in a comfortable position if you can't fall asleep in it?
that poor fellow has only orchestrated symphonies
into the poisoned ant hills
You have tried I'm afraid
don't let it hurt
I shouldn't stay
show your cards now
I want out stain the tub
clot the streak
cock the wheel
push it deep
fallen shade drowsy left me hopeless
carve my head
great disguise took a breath
gave it back
early-aged,self pitying, misfit, experience, coincidence, quality menstruating.
it makes more sense to speak nonsense
What is it like to scatter organs all over a deeply pasteurized land
Just like a cat without a mouse
it masturbates
it violates Sadistic dresser
Maybe it's the ability to choose
that makes a wounded player take to the field
and laugh at his injury
than to be fed peas and carrots by his sitter
Farewell to the oldsmobile
acknowledge the new models
farewell farewell
Set me back in my old sweater
for an hour or two
I can obtain satisfaction mutilating ones humilating me
You have tried I'm afraid
don't let it hurt
I shouldn't stay
show your cards
now I want out
strain the tub
clot the steak
cock the wheel
push it deep
fallen shade drowsy left me hopeless
carve my head
great disguise took a breath gave it back
early-aged self pitying misfit
What is the point of laying in a comfortable position if you can't fall asleep in it?
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
This somehow reminds me of the capricious nature of fashion trends (i.e. they change a lot.)
It's useless. It's just another reason for people to hate each other. Plus, they won't matter when you die.
That said, this song does more than kick ass. It shoots ass in the face with a tub of botulism.