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.
Old fools, dancing
Old fools who believe
That they can dance and sing
And fall in love
After all love?
Old wines, old shoes
Old lines who'd have thought
They would ever reuse
Like, I love you
Surprise! I love you
Flowers, long drive
Old fools, new lives
Old fools, dancing
Old rules take the backseat to
New romancing
Long drives, flowers
Old fools, new lovers
Old fools who believe
That they can dance and sing
And fall in love
After all love?
Old wines, old shoes
Old lines who'd have thought
They would ever reuse
Like, I love you
Surprise! I love you
Flowers, long drive
Old fools, new lives
Old fools, dancing
Old rules take the backseat to
New romancing
Long drives, flowers
Old fools, new lovers
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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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Yo La Tengo
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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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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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Ed Sheeran
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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.
this was the 1st song i listened from distortion. it made me happy to know that stephin wouldn't disappoint me, this record sounds very much magnetic fields with it's power to shake me to the core like no other band.
Old wines, old shoes Old lines who'd have thought they would ever reuse...
Well Merritt's only 40 something but he seems to know what's in store should you be foolish enough to keep looking for love
i like how the slow stuttering rhythm reinforces the image of "old fools" not realizing they aren't really able to dance anymore (at least, not without providing inadvertent amusement and/or a target of disdain, for those still young)
I think this is a song about someone who sees their lover get back to their significant other and be in despair.