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.
And I walked, and I walked upon Blackdown
And I walked West Sussex sunlight up by dead man's pool
Where ma Mudlark and Lewes
Stared me down, you drunken fool
Old teenage debts engulfed my chest
As I contemplate death
Put a challenge to its glamor
And all its loss and glory
Wet afternoon breath was taken deep into my lungs
Thinking of the man I must become
My story has just begun
And I will be returning to myself soon
I've been alone for so many
Of the great moments in my life
Alone like so many
At this moment in my life asking
Father, father anyway I can help ye?
I am only just growing much better to know thee
Thank you for all the things you've given to our family
Given your whole life to your wife and my sister and me
Now I look out north of battle where our ancestors lie in grave
West to Breed where the blacksmith put root to our family name
And I get proud of my birthright, think of the things that I must leave
When I leave behind the city and the living finally
Desire, desire, desire
Desire, desire deep down inside of me
You are not the maker nor the master of me
Help me to better support my family
And better, better of a brother be
Desire, desire deep down inside of me, oh now
You are not the wrecker nor the ruler of me
Desire, desire deep down in me
Yes, I've been alone for too many
These great moments in my life
Alone like too many but desire, desire
Desire you are not the maker of me, oh now
All as I walked up on Blackdown
And I walked West Sussex sunlight up by dead man's pool
Where ma Mudlark and Lewes
Stared me down, you drunken fool
Old teenage debts engulfed my chest
As I contemplate death
Put a challenge to its glamor
And all its loss and glory
Wet afternoon breath was taken deep into my lungs
Thinking of the man I must become
My story has just begun
And I will be returning to myself soon
I've been alone for so many
Of the great moments in my life
Alone like so many
At this moment in my life asking
Father, father anyway I can help ye?
I am only just growing much better to know thee
Thank you for all the things you've given to our family
Given your whole life to your wife and my sister and me
Now I look out north of battle where our ancestors lie in grave
West to Breed where the blacksmith put root to our family name
And I get proud of my birthright, think of the things that I must leave
When I leave behind the city and the living finally
Desire, desire, desire
Desire, desire deep down inside of me
You are not the maker nor the master of me
Help me to better support my family
And better, better of a brother be
Desire, desire deep down inside of me, oh now
You are not the wrecker nor the ruler of me
Desire, desire deep down in me
Yes, I've been alone for too many
These great moments in my life
Alone like too many but desire, desire
Desire you are not the maker of me, oh now
All as I walked up on Blackdown
Lyrics submitted by thisweather
Blackdown Lyrics as written by Patrick Wolf
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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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Ebba Grön
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Hayalperest
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
were these the lyrics he put on his myspace a few months ago? i can't recall.
Hold on. What is the bit in parentheses? It reminds me of the ~story~ bits from The Magic Position album notes. ARE THESE LYRICS FROM THE BACHELOR NOTES? AAAHHHHHHHHH
I love the piano in this dearly. The lyrics feel hopeful.
is it me or there's some anti-hedonism theme here ? quite unlike him though ... He is such a character and so young! I think following him as he matures - and not only musically - is gonna be thrilling, but I digress ...
I don't know about anyone else, but I definately hear some Larrikin Love in there with the jiggy ending with the violin. I wonder whether there will be another "story" in the sleevenotes for the Bachelor like with TMP. And whether sleevenotes will fold out in such an accordian-way. I'm so excited.
"blackdown is a song about when my father found out he had prostate cancer" patrick said in an interview. makes the meaning kinda clear, doesn't it?
The bit in brackets doesn't appear on the actual lyrics, it's a very clear sounding something. It's about a walk Patrick took this his family when he went to visit them in Ireland, or someplace. He realised he needed to give up all the grudges him and his family had together, and try and grow up a bit.