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.
Shake it off
Pick yourself up, they say
Your life fell apart in your hands, and you've got the scars to prove it
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
Pull it together
Button up your shirt
Roll down those sleeves
Don't let them see how you've coped
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It seems like your giving up on everything
It seems like your giving up on everything
It's pulling you under
(It's pulling you under)
Life can be overwhelming
But don't turn your back on the strongest crutch you've ever had
(You've ever had)
They have always been there to brace your fall
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
It's time to gain some ground
Pick yourself up, they say
Your life fell apart in your hands, and you've got the scars to prove it
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
Pull it together
Button up your shirt
Roll down those sleeves
Don't let them see how you've coped
It's not the first time, and they're getting deeper
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
More and more your demeanor looks like quicksand
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It seems like your giving up, giving up on everything you worked for
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It's pulling you under
It's gripping around your throat
It seems like your giving up on everything
It seems like your giving up on everything
It's pulling you under
(It's pulling you under)
Life can be overwhelming
But don't turn your back on the strongest crutch you've ever had
(You've ever had)
They have always been there to brace your fall
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
Wave goodbye to the past
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
You've got your whole life to lead
It's time to gain some ground
Lyrics submitted by BulletproofScales
Composure Lyrics as written by Dustin Davidson Brent Rambler
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
The meaning is obvious: life is hard for everyone, but you have to be strong; you have to pull through. "Roll down those sleeves. Don’t let them see how you’ve coped" is referring to self-mutilation. why else would one need to roll up their sleeves to hide how they coped? drug addiction? Puncture wounds aren't that noticeable. This has nothing to do with "emo"...it's just an example everyone...chill. The crutch is referring to God. He is the strength that has always been there. Not drugs or alcohol, why would ABR suggest their use as a crutch? This song is about getting through life with the help of God. The past will be forgiven through Him.
I don't know if the crutch is God or not with the lyric "They have always been there to brace your fall." I thought he was more so referring to close friends and people you can confide in. But God is still the strongest crutch one could have and I think ABR could've changed "they" to "He."