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.
Rising above
Tension below
Learn from the in-between
Belinded by trust
Asleep to the truth
Awakened by disbelief
But somewhere I've found
Strength in my soul
But still you refuse to see
Are you sure I'm not all right
Cause lately I've been feeling fine
Every lifeline leads its own way to the heavens
But I have seen you run in circles unforgiven
Is there anything in this world that can make you stop?
Oh, you're a machine
A world of your own
Hollow inside
Careful when worlds collide
I'm filling my life
With all it can hold
I'll carry it on with pride
Are you sure I'm not all right
Cause lately I've been feeling fine
Every lifeline leads its own way to the heavens
But I have seen you run in circles unforgiven
Is there anything in this world that can make you stop?
Oh, you're a machine
The sun's still above
All the rain that's coming down
And I can fell the clouds drifting away
Now the sky is open wide
Turn the light on
And you will see things so much clearer
There's no heart, there's no heart
And I've spent all this time feeling
Something you can't feel at all
You're a machine,
Oh, you're a machine
Tension below
Learn from the in-between
Belinded by trust
Asleep to the truth
Awakened by disbelief
But somewhere I've found
Strength in my soul
But still you refuse to see
Are you sure I'm not all right
Cause lately I've been feeling fine
Every lifeline leads its own way to the heavens
But I have seen you run in circles unforgiven
Is there anything in this world that can make you stop?
Oh, you're a machine
A world of your own
Hollow inside
Careful when worlds collide
I'm filling my life
With all it can hold
I'll carry it on with pride
Are you sure I'm not all right
Cause lately I've been feeling fine
Every lifeline leads its own way to the heavens
But I have seen you run in circles unforgiven
Is there anything in this world that can make you stop?
Oh, you're a machine
The sun's still above
All the rain that's coming down
And I can fell the clouds drifting away
Now the sky is open wide
Turn the light on
And you will see things so much clearer
There's no heart, there's no heart
And I've spent all this time feeling
Something you can't feel at all
You're a machine,
Oh, you're a machine
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
This song is the story of my life.
This person has made mistakes in the past, but has found a new, positive light. But there are people in their life that don't believe they have changed for the better and continue to bring them down by telling them they CAN'T. Can't do this, or that.
All this person wants to do is break away, and they are pretty much sick of being held down.
It's about someone who has lost their passion for what they're doing. Maybe they got into it because they love it, but now they just have the wrong motives. My favorite line is "The sun is still above all the rain that's coming down." It's like there is still hope no matter what fog you may be drowning in. It's encouraging.
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