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.
Five words, five words is all it would take
Five words to change your heart and mind
In the heat of the sun, I know you're the only one
You still can't hold yourself together
Alone, alone, all alone you have this conversation
To satisfy your most intimate inner thoughts
Then you bite your lip when it matters most, a shade of red in sight
Can you taste the blood' Taste it on your lips
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
Your growing imagination
Preparing you for what your heart requires to say
Then you bite your lip when it matters most, a shade of red in sight
Can you taste the blood' Taste it on your lips
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
Five words, repeating over in your head
That's all you ever have to do
Five words, is it really that hard to say
You're worth more than this
You're worth more than this
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
Five words to change your heart and mind
In the heat of the sun, I know you're the only one
You still can't hold yourself together
Alone, alone, all alone you have this conversation
To satisfy your most intimate inner thoughts
Then you bite your lip when it matters most, a shade of red in sight
Can you taste the blood' Taste it on your lips
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
Your growing imagination
Preparing you for what your heart requires to say
Then you bite your lip when it matters most, a shade of red in sight
Can you taste the blood' Taste it on your lips
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
Five words, repeating over in your head
That's all you ever have to do
Five words, is it really that hard to say
You're worth more than this
You're worth more than this
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
Rip the seam, then I'll show you
How the strings become the stitches in your mouth
In your silence we are louder
When the strings become the stitches in your mouth
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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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.
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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 song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
i believe that it has to do with a verse in the bible. 1 Corinthians 14v19 "But in the church meetings i would rather speak five words I understand in order to teach others than thousands of words in a different language"
I guess what they are saying, well what I take from it is, as Christians they/we believe "You're worth more than this" and it is so much better to just say that than tell people why what they are doing is wrong or not good or bad or sinful or whatever you wanna call it because you can blabber on and on about what is right and what people should be doing, but they won't listen/understand, but it is so much easier to say five simple words that everyone understands "you're worth more than this".