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.
He wears his heart
safety pinned to his backpack
His backpack is all that he knows
Shot down by strangers
whose glances can cripple
the heart and devour the soul
All alone he turns to stone
while holding his breath half to death
Terrified of whats inside
to save his life he crawls
like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
Out of his mind away
pushes him whispering
must have been out of his mind
mid-day delusions of pushing this out of his head
maybe out of his mind
All alone he turns to stone
while holding his breath half to death
Terrified of whats inside
to save his life he
crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm from a bird
All he knows
If he can't relieve it it grows
and so it goes
he crawls like a worm
crawls like a worm from the bird
Out of his mind away
pushes him whispering
must have been out of his mind
All alone he turns to stone
while holding his breath half to death
Terrified of whats inside
to save his life
he crawls like a worm from a bird
All alone he
Holding his breath half to death
Terrified to save his life
he crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm
crawls like a worm from a bird
safety pinned to his backpack
His backpack is all that he knows
Shot down by strangers
whose glances can cripple
the heart and devour the soul
All alone he turns to stone
while holding his breath half to death
Terrified of whats inside
to save his life he crawls
like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
Out of his mind away
pushes him whispering
must have been out of his mind
mid-day delusions of pushing this out of his head
maybe out of his mind
All alone he turns to stone
while holding his breath half to death
Terrified of whats inside
to save his life he
crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm from a bird
All he knows
If he can't relieve it it grows
and so it goes
he crawls like a worm
crawls like a worm from the bird
Out of his mind away
pushes him whispering
must have been out of his mind
All alone he turns to stone
while holding his breath half to death
Terrified of whats inside
to save his life
he crawls like a worm from a bird
All alone he
Holding his breath half to death
Terrified to save his life
he crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm from a bird
crawls like a worm, crawls like a worm
crawls like a worm from a bird
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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 one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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.
The more I listen to it, the more I feel it is about domestic violence from the abusee's point of view. "The Stranger's looks" could possibly be the public seeing the abusee's bruises and marks. He hangs on to his backpack as a focus of escape (his heart). When he sings about someone being "out of their mind" and "terrified of what's inside" it may be of the abuser and how he never knows what to expect from him/her. "To save his life, he Crawls like a worm" reminds me of escaping to dark place, like a closet. "All alone," in the closet, "He turns to stone," holds as still as possible, "holding his breath half to death," trying not to breathe to not be found. When he arives at home, the abuser remind him he is all alone (the deep, terrifying voice in the background).
i think u may be on to something,but i kinda disagree but no one but the writer knows right, i request u look at my intepertation