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.
Leave your past at the front door
And run away like you did before
Blisters, blisters, blisters
Let's consider a change of scenery
It's getting boring by the sea
Pictures, pictures, pictures
Oh, no (oh, no, no, no)
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Such a harsh tongue, used so easily
Never hear it much in front of me
Keep quiet, keep quiet, keep quiet
Let's consider a change of scenery
It's getting boring by the sea
Pictures, pictures, pictures
Oh, no (oh, no, no, no)
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no, no
I can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no
Can't escape anything in this town
Can't escape
Anything in this town (can't escape)
Anything in this town (can't escape)
Anything in this town (can't escape)
Anything in this town
Leave your past at the front door
And run away like you did before
Blisters, blisters, blisters
Let's consider a change of scenery
It's getting boring by the sea
Pictures, pictures, pictures
And run away like you did before
Blisters, blisters, blisters
Let's consider a change of scenery
It's getting boring by the sea
Pictures, pictures, pictures
Oh, no (oh, no, no, no)
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Such a harsh tongue, used so easily
Never hear it much in front of me
Keep quiet, keep quiet, keep quiet
Let's consider a change of scenery
It's getting boring by the sea
Pictures, pictures, pictures
Oh, no (oh, no, no, no)
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no
Can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no, no
I can't escape anything in this town
Knock yourself out
Oh, no, no, no
Can't escape anything in this town
Can't escape
Anything in this town (can't escape)
Anything in this town (can't escape)
Anything in this town (can't escape)
Anything in this town
Leave your past at the front door
And run away like you did before
Blisters, blisters, blisters
Let's consider a change of scenery
It's getting boring by the sea
Pictures, pictures, pictures
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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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Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
When We Were Young
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Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I also relate to this, theyre from brighton which is a seaside town, here southend is a sea side town. Everything gets so samey.