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.
Poison racing through my veins
A sordid pull to the insane
A constant gravity to change
And I don't know where to go
Paris breaths beneath my feet
Thirsty skin against concrete
My sacred heart misleading me
And I don't know where to go
No, I don't know where to go
I could go home to my love
And live the life I've always wanted
Or I could go on running off
Into the night, lonely and haunted
And the strange thing is
I don't know which I prefer
As I sit here and watch the sun set on Sacre Coeur
Paris falls under my eyes
History against one life
My sacred heart's on no one's side
And I don't know where to go
No, I don't know where to go
I could go home to my love
And live the life I've always wanted
Or I could go on running off
Into the night, lonely and haunted
And the strange thing is
I don't know which I prefer
As I sit here and watch the sun set
As I sit here and watch the sun set
As I sit here and watch the sun set
I could go home to my love
And live the life I've always wanted
Or I could go on running off
Into the night, lonely and haunted
I could go home to my love
It's all there if I want it
But the sad thing is
I don't know which I prefer
As I sit here and watch the sun set on Sacre Coeur
A sordid pull to the insane
A constant gravity to change
And I don't know where to go
Paris breaths beneath my feet
Thirsty skin against concrete
My sacred heart misleading me
And I don't know where to go
No, I don't know where to go
I could go home to my love
And live the life I've always wanted
Or I could go on running off
Into the night, lonely and haunted
And the strange thing is
I don't know which I prefer
As I sit here and watch the sun set on Sacre Coeur
Paris falls under my eyes
History against one life
My sacred heart's on no one's side
And I don't know where to go
No, I don't know where to go
I could go home to my love
And live the life I've always wanted
Or I could go on running off
Into the night, lonely and haunted
And the strange thing is
I don't know which I prefer
As I sit here and watch the sun set
As I sit here and watch the sun set
As I sit here and watch the sun set
I could go home to my love
And live the life I've always wanted
Or I could go on running off
Into the night, lonely and haunted
I could go home to my love
It's all there if I want it
But the sad thing is
I don't know which I prefer
As I sit here and watch the sun set on Sacre Coeur
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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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"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.
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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.
Punchline
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I can really picture it, she paints the scene so well. To me this song feels like being in Paris. Okay I know I don't make sense. I just love this song and the emotion it shows. And Paris.