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.
Not for lack of a gentle mother
I do lack a mental cover
It keeps on pounding my head
World order, water torture, exhausted economics
Everyday just more comics
In a pissing contest
That started out with atomic
Bombs, mom will they drop the bomb
Will they think about their children's children
Being born with limbs missing
There's no one to call
You can't make 'em stall
I want to feed them to each other
'Cause I'm sick of them all
How can't you see something's missing
Is anyone listening
We're shooting up flares
Does anyone care
They've got this world locked down bound and gagged
From the rez in Pine Ridge to that land in Baghdad
When did our leaders
Become bottom feeders
We're shooting up flares
Does anyone care
They got this world locked down bound and gagged
With constant fear and paranoia, toxins in our head
It's just something they know how to do
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
The masses just take it while they turn the screws
(Bring to a boil, add oil, then bomb)
It's just something that we gotta fight
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
Keep us distracted with fuel to ignite
(Bring to a boil)
Porno shows, MTV hoes, and on the radio
It's the same fucking song
That's just the way it goes
Cultures referral to democracy's girls
Learn the rules of engagement sweetheart
This is the world
How can so many sit silent
Numb to the violence
We're shooting up flares
Does anyone care
They got this world locked down bound and gagged
The Botoxed Barbie dolls in stupid magazine ads
It's just something they know how to do
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
The masses just take it while they turn the screws
(Bring to a boil, add oil, then bomb)
Embodying all that we know to be wrong
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
When a war chant becomes the popular song
(Bring to a boil)
I do lack a mental cover
It keeps on pounding my head
World order, water torture, exhausted economics
Everyday just more comics
In a pissing contest
That started out with atomic
Bombs, mom will they drop the bomb
Will they think about their children's children
Being born with limbs missing
There's no one to call
You can't make 'em stall
I want to feed them to each other
'Cause I'm sick of them all
How can't you see something's missing
Is anyone listening
We're shooting up flares
Does anyone care
They've got this world locked down bound and gagged
From the rez in Pine Ridge to that land in Baghdad
When did our leaders
Become bottom feeders
We're shooting up flares
Does anyone care
They got this world locked down bound and gagged
With constant fear and paranoia, toxins in our head
It's just something they know how to do
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
The masses just take it while they turn the screws
(Bring to a boil, add oil, then bomb)
It's just something that we gotta fight
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
Keep us distracted with fuel to ignite
(Bring to a boil)
Porno shows, MTV hoes, and on the radio
It's the same fucking song
That's just the way it goes
Cultures referral to democracy's girls
Learn the rules of engagement sweetheart
This is the world
How can so many sit silent
Numb to the violence
We're shooting up flares
Does anyone care
They got this world locked down bound and gagged
The Botoxed Barbie dolls in stupid magazine ads
It's just something they know how to do
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
The masses just take it while they turn the screws
(Bring to a boil, add oil, then bomb)
Embodying all that we know to be wrong
(How to make everyone feel uncalm)
When a war chant becomes the popular song
(Bring to a boil)
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Fast Car
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Holiday
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Best song on album