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.
Well here's the story of my life
Listen and I'll tell it twice
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Well I was borned in old Kentucky
In them hills where folks are lucky
And it's paradise to me
Well I got a feller right over the hill
If he asks me to marry well I know I will
He asked me to marry got kids of four
And I'm tellin' you
I don't want no more
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Doo got me a guitar
I wrote me a song
Moved to Nashville, it wasn't long
'Til I was on the Grand Ole Opry
We bought us a mansion on the hill
Livin' big like we were big deals
Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind
(pause)I was pregnant again
Oh gee, oh Lord, I swear
The babies are comin' in pairs
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Well some big shot from Hollywood
Thought a movie 'bout my life would be good
It was a big hit made a big splash
What I wanna know is what happened to the cash
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Now me and Doo, married forty-eight years
Six kids later a lot of laughter and tears
I have to say that I've been blessed
Not bad for this ol' Kentucky girl I guess
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Well here's the story of my life
Listen and I'll tell it twice
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Listen and I'll tell it twice
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Well I was borned in old Kentucky
In them hills where folks are lucky
And it's paradise to me
Well I got a feller right over the hill
If he asks me to marry well I know I will
He asked me to marry got kids of four
And I'm tellin' you
I don't want no more
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Doo got me a guitar
I wrote me a song
Moved to Nashville, it wasn't long
'Til I was on the Grand Ole Opry
We bought us a mansion on the hill
Livin' big like we were big deals
Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind
(pause)I was pregnant again
Oh gee, oh Lord, I swear
The babies are comin' in pairs
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Well some big shot from Hollywood
Thought a movie 'bout my life would be good
It was a big hit made a big splash
What I wanna know is what happened to the cash
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Now me and Doo, married forty-eight years
Six kids later a lot of laughter and tears
I have to say that I've been blessed
Not bad for this ol' Kentucky girl I guess
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
Well here's the story of my life
Listen and I'll tell it twice
Yeah hey, yeah hey, yeah hey
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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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.