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.
When the end of the end finally came
Your name was on the list
But not for what you did
A terrible accident
When the people you love were destined to stray
You never thought to say
Why do you cause
Terrible accidents
By and by, from above, a sword of flame
To and fro it came to smite
And pound to dust
Heaven-born love is blind
Let’s take it back in time and down south
Where you take, with all due respect
(For which none is)
You take your car and run him down
And when they come in their craft
They find a man half driven mad
By the sound of burning
And you find from the evermore
Steel-tossed arcs of gore
Your eyes averting
And they say look at what we’ve done
But sick, you say where
Are we really going
And they say look, the fire is clean
But waking up from your dream
You say this is an accident
A terrible accident
Your name was on the list
But not for what you did
A terrible accident
When the people you love were destined to stray
You never thought to say
Why do you cause
Terrible accidents
By and by, from above, a sword of flame
To and fro it came to smite
And pound to dust
Heaven-born love is blind
Let’s take it back in time and down south
Where you take, with all due respect
(For which none is)
You take your car and run him down
And when they come in their craft
They find a man half driven mad
By the sound of burning
And you find from the evermore
Steel-tossed arcs of gore
Your eyes averting
And they say look at what we’ve done
But sick, you say where
Are we really going
And they say look, the fire is clean
But waking up from your dream
You say this is an accident
A terrible accident
Lyrics submitted by JohnMeanName
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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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@[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.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.