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.
I am all in a ball, in your front yard
I have this bag of hammers
And I won't ask to come in
'Cause I have sold everything
Still I have, have got some manners
And there's a hole in your head
Spilled your thoughts on the floor
We wanted you bad
You wanted it more
The trick is
You do not get on that Interstate bus
The catch is
You stay and see what becomes of us
Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house
Distress the wood, make it shout
And as sharp as I sting, as sharp as I sing
It still soothes you, doesn't it?
Like a lick of ice cream
I am all in a ball, in your front yard
I have this bag of hammers
And I won't ask to come in
'Cause I have sold everything
Still I have, have got some manners
Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house
Distress the wood, make it shout
And as sharp as I sting, as sharp as I sing
It still soothes you, doesn't it?
Like a lick of ice cream
I have this bag of hammers
And I won't ask to come in
'Cause I have sold everything
Still I have, have got some manners
And there's a hole in your head
Spilled your thoughts on the floor
We wanted you bad
You wanted it more
The trick is
You do not get on that Interstate bus
The catch is
You stay and see what becomes of us
Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house
Distress the wood, make it shout
And as sharp as I sting, as sharp as I sing
It still soothes you, doesn't it?
Like a lick of ice cream
I am all in a ball, in your front yard
I have this bag of hammers
And I won't ask to come in
'Cause I have sold everything
Still I have, have got some manners
Shake, shake, shake, shake the frame of this house
Distress the wood, make it shout
And as sharp as I sting, as sharp as I sing
It still soothes you, doesn't it?
Like a lick of ice cream
Lyrics submitted by geekthegirl867
Bag of Hammers Lyrics as written by Thao Nguyen
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Head > Heels
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
i like to listen to bag of hammers in the morning. Despite the content, such a happy feeling song!
i like to listen to bag of hammers at anytime.
I think this song is about getting back at someone who you feel deeply did you wrong, or maybe someone who led you on
To me it sounds like she's outside her ex's house and has all of these negative things to say (the bag of hammers) but she won't go inside because she still has her manners. Previously, they maybe had a discussion which ended with her partner leaving (on the interstate bus). And from "Shake, shake..." to "...ice cream" it seems like her anger toward her ex pleases them.