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.
My head aches, and feels the blunt vice grips
hanging over my tequila sunrises
Confide and write this to de-scribe a love life
that's feeling love lifeless
I'm the type that'll cherish frozen winters
stare at snowy blizzards and take it to heart
Then break it apart, I carry hopes and blisters
Cutting heart strings with a pair of broken scissors
I'm still trapped in a middle school slow dance
Stepping on toes in a mistletoe romance
Misanthrope, discomposed who holds hands
with grief...Kissing hope with no chance, but me
I'm just searching for some beautiful
a dream that I can catch And a person who's unusual
When I find her, I'll try to face the tide
Fight the hurricane, and tidal wave, goodbye…
And I watch all the spectrums of angels
Choking to death on the septums and halos
Bread crumbs and fables, why change?
I hang at the ends of the pay phone
With no change or number to reach
What blankets the sky I slumber beneath
Under the speech, this song's about hope, joy, love and defeat
All it takes is a peaceful autumn day
For you to be happy and me to call it fate
Even after a fucked up childhood, I'm still tryin'
To believe in God and grace
I try to get a piece of peace and sit and listen infinitely
Holdin onto benefits, and isnt it so innocent? We
Try to find another time and underline the cynical
Its pitiful we run and hide and undermind the innermost
When intervals of miserable will find a figure four
And force the phyiscal and inner soul to find a bitter form
And form another time and place where you can go and be so suitable
When all I wanna do is go and search for something beautiful, in me
I died once, and I knew that it was suitable
I died twice, and I sang it like a musical
I died again when I thought that the noose would hold
Everything I love in the search for some beautiful
I died once, and I knew that it was suitable
I died twice, and I sang it like a musical
I died again when I thought that the noose would hold
Everything I love in the search for some beautiful
hanging over my tequila sunrises
Confide and write this to de-scribe a love life
that's feeling love lifeless
I'm the type that'll cherish frozen winters
stare at snowy blizzards and take it to heart
Then break it apart, I carry hopes and blisters
Cutting heart strings with a pair of broken scissors
I'm still trapped in a middle school slow dance
Stepping on toes in a mistletoe romance
Misanthrope, discomposed who holds hands
with grief...Kissing hope with no chance, but me
I'm just searching for some beautiful
a dream that I can catch And a person who's unusual
When I find her, I'll try to face the tide
Fight the hurricane, and tidal wave, goodbye…
And I watch all the spectrums of angels
Choking to death on the septums and halos
Bread crumbs and fables, why change?
I hang at the ends of the pay phone
With no change or number to reach
What blankets the sky I slumber beneath
Under the speech, this song's about hope, joy, love and defeat
All it takes is a peaceful autumn day
For you to be happy and me to call it fate
Even after a fucked up childhood, I'm still tryin'
To believe in God and grace
I try to get a piece of peace and sit and listen infinitely
Holdin onto benefits, and isnt it so innocent? We
Try to find another time and underline the cynical
Its pitiful we run and hide and undermind the innermost
When intervals of miserable will find a figure four
And force the phyiscal and inner soul to find a bitter form
And form another time and place where you can go and be so suitable
When all I wanna do is go and search for something beautiful, in me
I died once, and I knew that it was suitable
I died twice, and I sang it like a musical
I died again when I thought that the noose would hold
Everything I love in the search for some beautiful
I died once, and I knew that it was suitable
I died twice, and I sang it like a musical
I died again when I thought that the noose would hold
Everything I love in the search for some beautiful
Lyrics submitted by apexofgrace
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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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@[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.
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Seems pretty obvious what this song means and is about- trying to find beauty in his life. I went to a show of his and met him and talked to him, and when he performed this one, beforehand he said how this song means a lot to him..
Though all very minor, there ARE several mistakes within the lyrics.
"Kissing hope with no chance, but me" should be "no chance FOR me"
"a dream that i can catch and a person whos unusual" should be "adream that i can catch IN a person who's unusual"
and a few others that dont really matter, but just wanted to point those out!! It seems insignificant but it can change the context of the song and its meaning, though only slightly. :)
LOVE this beautiful, amazing song!!!!
Actually your corrections are not quite correct... Sadistik posted the lyrics to all songs on "The Balancing Act" on his blog not long after the CD's release, and his words match the lyrics as they are posted here!