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've been crawling
Around in the dark for a while
Sprawled out across the floor
Not collecting dust anymore
Define me a parasite,
Define my host
Trapped beneath the floor
I slowly waste away
Now I pull my frail body into the chair
And look me in the face
Oh, disappointments, so disappointing
This may be my last one
It's gonna be good and hard
It might be a touch out of key
A touch out of key
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
I'm afraid that this is really happening
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
Let's hope this is short lived and riddled with dizzy
Oh God, the noise
Is ringing in my ear
It's so unclear, so unclear
I hear them talking
But can't make out the words
Speak up, speak clear
I hear them talking
But can't make out the words
Speak up, speak clear
God, where have I been?
I'm a terrible company
With zero apologies
My God, where have I been?
Where have I been?
While I sink to the bottom
I'll sing out as it fills with water
I hope I've done enough
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
Let's hope this is short lived and riddled with dizzy
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
I'm afraid that this is really happening
I'm worn out
I'm worn thin
I will never break through
I'm worn out (Where have I been?)
I'm worn thin (Where have I been?)
I will never break through (Where have I been?)
Let me out
Let me out
Let me out
Around in the dark for a while
Sprawled out across the floor
Not collecting dust anymore
Define me a parasite,
Define my host
Trapped beneath the floor
I slowly waste away
Now I pull my frail body into the chair
And look me in the face
Oh, disappointments, so disappointing
This may be my last one
It's gonna be good and hard
It might be a touch out of key
A touch out of key
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
I'm afraid that this is really happening
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
Let's hope this is short lived and riddled with dizzy
Oh God, the noise
Is ringing in my ear
It's so unclear, so unclear
I hear them talking
But can't make out the words
Speak up, speak clear
I hear them talking
But can't make out the words
Speak up, speak clear
God, where have I been?
I'm a terrible company
With zero apologies
My God, where have I been?
Where have I been?
While I sink to the bottom
I'll sing out as it fills with water
I hope I've done enough
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
Let's hope this is short lived and riddled with dizzy
When this thing breaks
I will be you
You will be me
I'm afraid that this is really happening
I'm worn out
I'm worn thin
I will never break through
I'm worn out (Where have I been?)
I'm worn thin (Where have I been?)
I will never break through (Where have I been?)
Let me out
Let me out
Let me out
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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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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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 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.
This song reminds me of drugs. I do drugs and it feels a lot like the change that they do to yew. Perhaps it's driven them to suicide by the looks of it.
"This may be my last one. It’s gonna be good and hard. It might be a touch out of key. (a touch out of key)" -Basically this'll be the last time i do it and i'm gonna make it count. Good and hard hitting. As for the touch out of key thing, i link it to him being too emotionally wrecked for it to work like every other time he's done drugs.
"When this thing breaks. I will be you You will be me. " -Judging by the split vocals i'd say this is referring to what drugs do to yew. They split yew, i still have thoughts (especially provoked by this song) Where i feel like my old self pitches in my thoughts sometimes. Basically i think it's saying "when this addiction breaks, i will be yew (the old self) and yew will be me (again referring to his old self).
God, where have I been. I’m terrible company. With zero apologies. My God where have I been? Where have I been?
I’m worn out. I’m worn thin. I will never break through. I'm worn out (Where have I been) I'm worn thin (Where have I been) I will never break through. (Where have I been) Let me out. Let me out. Let me out. -He can't break the addiction, so he gets rid of his life.
That's what this song means to me, if anyone can find a more accurate prediction fair enough. But that's what the song means to me, i don't care what message underoath tried to portray. This is my meaning and i know it well. It makes sense. Would like to hear some other views though =]
this makes a lot of sense. <br /> spencer has an addiction and everything you say makes the lyrics fall into place for my understanding.<br /> but i don't think that "I'm worn out, I'm worn thin, I will never break through. Let me out" could have that meaning because in their Metal Hammer interview he said he uses writing songs to channel all of his emotions and problems and that it really helps him.<br /> <br /> just a thought...=]<br />