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.
Nothing Left To BreakCan't control this feeling, it breaks the shelter that you're in
And you can't make it disappear, or pretend that it's not there
When it's broken through your skin
When you're seeing for the first time
That you're standing on the front line
There's no way back
There's no one to save you now
If you choose love then let it in
But if you don't want the fight
Then why are you waiting
Turn around if that's what makes it right
Don't leave this mistake
‘Till there's nothing left to break
Everyone is watching, waiting for your move
Frightened of the consequence, you don't move at all
‘Cause you're too afraid to loose
When you're seeing for the first time
That you're standing on the front line
There's no way back
No one to save you now
If you choose love then let it in
But if you don't want the fight
Then why are you waiting
Turn around if that's what makes it right
Don't leave this mistake
‘Till there's nothing left to break
Find what's true, inside out
To get to you, there's no way out
If you can't be, if you don't see
Let it go
But If you choose love then let it in
But if you don't want the fight
Then why are you waiting
Turn around if that's what makes it right
Don't leave this mistake
‘Till there's nothing left to break
And you can't make it disappear, or pretend that it's not there
When it's broken through your skin
When you're seeing for the first time
That you're standing on the front line
There's no way back
There's no one to save you now
If you choose love then let it in
But if you don't want the fight
Then why are you waiting
Turn around if that's what makes it right
Don't leave this mistake
‘Till there's nothing left to break
Everyone is watching, waiting for your move
Frightened of the consequence, you don't move at all
‘Cause you're too afraid to loose
When you're seeing for the first time
That you're standing on the front line
There's no way back
No one to save you now
If you choose love then let it in
But if you don't want the fight
Then why are you waiting
Turn around if that's what makes it right
Don't leave this mistake
‘Till there's nothing left to break
Find what's true, inside out
To get to you, there's no way out
If you can't be, if you don't see
Let it go
But If you choose love then let it in
But if you don't want the fight
Then why are you waiting
Turn around if that's what makes it right
Don't leave this mistake
‘Till there's nothing left to break
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
To me this song is about the hard times in a relationship. And how at those times you need to coinsider both options: Love or Leave