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.
Here is my car, my phone and my TV
I've got it all, but you can see through me
But am I here? It's kind of hard to tell
I do a good impression of myself
But what's normal now anyhow?
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Prescription drugs, they help me through the day
And that restraining order keeps me well at bay
And what's normal now, anyway?
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little
I've got it all, but you can see through me
But am I here? It's kind of hard to tell
I do a good impression of myself
But what's normal now anyhow?
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Prescription drugs, they help me through the day
And that restraining order keeps me well at bay
And what's normal now, anyway?
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Sullen and bored the kids stay
And in this way wish away each day
Stoned in the mall the kids play
And in this way wish away each day
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little sentimental
Wish I was old and a little
Lyrics submitted by christsizeshoes, edited by ToasterBoxes
Normal Lyrics as written by Steven John Wilson
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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Fast Car
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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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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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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Steven Wilson sure likes to repeat lyrics and themes eh? Agreed with headphonedust... this is Sentimental's other version I suppose. Glad the other one was included on the album though - way better in my opinion.
Anyway, I think the song is from the point of view of someone who to know what it's like to feel sentimental - to look back on something and remember it fondly. The drugs that are referred to in the song might not allow them to do that any longer perhaps. Or they make it difficult to remember what life was like in general because remembering what went on while taking the drugs doesn't produce any feelings at all.
Interesting stuff.