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.
Degrade me, my purpose
Bury me beneath the surface
I'm scratching, I'm clawing
Trying hard to make them pay
Can't stand me, beside me
Kid you not, your kiss sure killed me
The cold of my barrel
Never sees the light of day
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
The smell on the speakers
Sweaty ballroom dancing fever
They gather in numbers
Ever for a closer view
The cease fire the weaker
Hair so red I couldn't keep her
The dogs hound the neighbors
Everything was blown away
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
Machine, machines, point me to the nearest party
You'll see, you'll see, baby it's the only way
Call me, call me, you could only
Call me, call me, I'll be there
Machines, machines, point me to the nearest party
Bury me beneath the surface
I'm scratching, I'm clawing
Trying hard to make them pay
Can't stand me, beside me
Kid you not, your kiss sure killed me
The cold of my barrel
Never sees the light of day
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
The smell on the speakers
Sweaty ballroom dancing fever
They gather in numbers
Ever for a closer view
The cease fire the weaker
Hair so red I couldn't keep her
The dogs hound the neighbors
Everything was blown away
Call me, call me, you could only hurt the story
Call me, call me, I'll be there to shine a light
Machine, machines, point me to the nearest party
You'll see, you'll see, baby it's the only way
Call me, call me, you could only
Call me, call me, I'll be there
Machines, machines, point me to the nearest party
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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.
Fast Car
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Tracy Chapman
"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.
Dreamwalker
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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.
Magical
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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.
and its elbow for a closer