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.
Lying through my teeth again
I've been bad again, black lies
Skirting round the truth again
To escape the look in your eyes
Cover up the facts again
With the money men, disguise
Losing my integrity
Well it's lost to me, I don't mind
Feel my soul going
Feel my soul colder
Blackening my soul again
With another lie, it's my style
Burying my face again
God I'm so ashamed, this time
Feel my soul going
Feel my soul colder
I've been bad again, black lies
Skirting round the truth again
To escape the look in your eyes
Cover up the facts again
With the money men, disguise
Losing my integrity
Well it's lost to me, I don't mind
Feel my soul going
Feel my soul colder
Blackening my soul again
With another lie, it's my style
Burying my face again
God I'm so ashamed, this time
Feel my soul going
Feel my soul colder
Lyrics submitted by Static Veins
Cheating the Polygraph Lyrics as written by Steven John Wilson Gavin Richard Harrison
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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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.
Well the song is clearly about lying. A polygraph is a lie detector, so to 'cheat the polygraph' would be to lie convincingly I assume... Which makes sense looking at the verses.
Overall, I guess the song is about lying so much and so convincingly, you lose yourself in your own lies - what is in fact true and what isn't ('Losing my integrity, Well it's lost to me, I don't mind')... The chorus could be seen as how lying so much can lead to desensitisation towards the matter... You don't know when you should lie or you shouldn't lie - you don't see how it hurts others... You become alienated - or cold - towards the matter ('Feel my soul going, Feel my soul colder').
Great interpretations. Nil Recurring is indeed an amazing EP. In a sense, it is comfort lying: lying we do to avoid situations, to uplift ourselves, to look "better" to others. In fact, isn't this what has become of a lot of factors of our society? We lie to make our lives more convenient, less complicated. To try and sort of create this illusion of uniformity-- that we are the same as all others.
In another sense, I feel the narrator is a pathological liar who is lost in his lifestyle, yet doesn't mind any more due to the desensitized feeling someone above me mentioned. After you do it so much, it just becomes an integral part of you-- thus him "feel[ing]" his "soul going". He is lost in that downward spiral.
Awesome song from the Nil Recurring EP. The special edition, with the tracks of FOABP and the EP is a masterpiece. In fact, I like to think that Nil Recurring is the second part of FOABP. XD
I think the song is about the modern life, and how it push you into situations where you have to do things you know are wrong, but you still do them because that's how our society works.
It's about lying so much to the point of where you start to believe believe your own lies! Great song, Mr. Wilson really does have a great singing voice when he wants to.