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.
Oh well, faith is my brand new story
It's been a long fight, my heart went right out
Oh, won't bore you any more
Love wasn't my feeling, my type or my kind
Now being good to you is all that's on my mind
And if we make it then we'll be just fine
Maybe you'll be yours and I'll be mine
There's always mischief
Oh, you know the devil's always prying
Now being good to you is all that's on my mind
Down
Yes, your mind gets like a villain, make you splinter
Sing your heart off walking through some long Russian winter
Crying at the sad stories in the paper and on the news
Then I gather up the scattered blessings to bring them back to you
And if we make it then we'll be just fine
Be the first I've known in a long, long time
Told my sad story to anyone who'd listen
Now I'm in your heart, talking like Ian Dury, I'll be blissin'
Praise be the hands that brought this to work now
Turn it on, switch me on
You took my hand, yes, that came first
Turn it on, switch it on
I'm full of song, unrehearsed
Go on and turn it up, turn it on, turn it over
Praise be the hands that brought this to work now
Turn it on, switch it on
Sing a song that's true, bring it back to you
Just sing a song it's true, bring it back to you
Sing a song, its you, bring it back to you
Let's sing a song that's true
It's been a long fight, my heart went right out
Oh, won't bore you any more
Love wasn't my feeling, my type or my kind
Now being good to you is all that's on my mind
And if we make it then we'll be just fine
Maybe you'll be yours and I'll be mine
There's always mischief
Oh, you know the devil's always prying
Now being good to you is all that's on my mind
Down
Yes, your mind gets like a villain, make you splinter
Sing your heart off walking through some long Russian winter
Crying at the sad stories in the paper and on the news
Then I gather up the scattered blessings to bring them back to you
And if we make it then we'll be just fine
Be the first I've known in a long, long time
Told my sad story to anyone who'd listen
Now I'm in your heart, talking like Ian Dury, I'll be blissin'
Praise be the hands that brought this to work now
Turn it on, switch me on
You took my hand, yes, that came first
Turn it on, switch it on
I'm full of song, unrehearsed
Go on and turn it up, turn it on, turn it over
Praise be the hands that brought this to work now
Turn it on, switch it on
Sing a song that's true, bring it back to you
Just sing a song it's true, bring it back to you
Sing a song, its you, bring it back to you
Let's sing a song that's true
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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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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
ps. great song. great band. they are far too underrated. i thnk they're great