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.
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying to find the hero
I don't want to let any of you down
I see me on the floor of a room inside
My own house with a set of darker eyes
Distortion shows row to open doors
I closed for good reasons years before
Growing up I was told one too many times
I'd never be good enough never be alright
See I'm an equal like you with fears
I'm not above or below My only home is here
Want you to know I sometimes let go
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying to find the hero
They all say I am
The voice behind these verses
Is still so far from perfect
I don't want to let any of you down
Kick kick kick myself numbed up to reacquaint with hell
Lost touch and stared off into doubt
Depersonalized in a cloud
Trading afflictions for imperfections
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying to find the hero
They all say I am
The voice behind these verses
Is still so far from perfect
I don't want to let any of you down
Because I have troubles I hide
And emotions that I cry
And I am not strong sometimes
I too need song to save my life
Run from self harm
Experiencing alterations
(Run from self harm)
No control over self-perception
(Run from self harm)
I am on outside bones observing these skeletons
(Get away) I hate the darkness
(Get away) I turn all the lights on
Shouting words at a mirror
Shouting words at a mirror
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying but I can't find the hero
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying to find the hero
They all say I am
This voice behind these verses
Is still so far from perfect
I don't want to let any of you down
Because I have troubles I hide
And emotions that I cry
But I will get through this just fine
We have each other to remind
Trying to find the hero
I don't want to let any of you down
I see me on the floor of a room inside
My own house with a set of darker eyes
Distortion shows row to open doors
I closed for good reasons years before
Growing up I was told one too many times
I'd never be good enough never be alright
See I'm an equal like you with fears
I'm not above or below My only home is here
Want you to know I sometimes let go
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying to find the hero
They all say I am
The voice behind these verses
Is still so far from perfect
I don't want to let any of you down
Kick kick kick myself numbed up to reacquaint with hell
Lost touch and stared off into doubt
Depersonalized in a cloud
Trading afflictions for imperfections
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying to find the hero
They all say I am
The voice behind these verses
Is still so far from perfect
I don't want to let any of you down
Because I have troubles I hide
And emotions that I cry
And I am not strong sometimes
I too need song to save my life
Run from self harm
Experiencing alterations
(Run from self harm)
No control over self-perception
(Run from self harm)
I am on outside bones observing these skeletons
(Get away) I hate the darkness
(Get away) I turn all the lights on
Shouting words at a mirror
Shouting words at a mirror
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying but I can't find the hero
Shouting words at a mirror
Trying to find the hero
They all say I am
This voice behind these verses
Is still so far from perfect
I don't want to let any of you down
Because I have troubles I hide
And emotions that I cry
But I will get through this just fine
We have each other to remind
Lyrics submitted by themikeman, edited by Skoobasteve24
Equals Lyrics as written by Daniel Coddaire Audelio Flores
Lyrics © MOTHERSHIP MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
Jordan: "I wanted to expand on some things I was going through last year that I touched on in the second verse of this will be the death of us. I've been battling with a specific behavioral disorder for as long as I can remember, and everyday is like a gamble. It can put you up pretty high one second, leaving you feeling like you're ready to face any struggle, and it can drop you to your knees a split moment later with feelings like everything is ending and there is nothing else to live for. It can be very crippling mentally and physically, and it can take its toll on those around you just the same, but I don't want to run from it anymore, I want to accept myself for who I am and I want to remember there is always someone else out there who is going through the same things I am. When we break it down there is nothing to be ashamed of and we are all one of the same: Human. That's what this song is about in its simplest form, I feel I'm not always in the positive, not always able to offer comforting or reassuring advice: troubles have sadly gotten the best of me, too. But we can use these songs to remind us that everything always does work out if you can just keep faith, even when faith seems hard to find."