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.
They say time waits for no man
And neither does this woman
I've been trying hard to understand
Would it be?
Many moons have come and gone
And this little heart is still holding on
To what could be, maybe should be, baby
Crazy is all it's making me
I've been holding on for way too long
It can't go on
You've got 4 and 20 hours
Just one day to prove to me
That your love has got the power
Make me believe
You'll take me where I wanna be
4 and 20 hours
And that's me, hm, baby
That's me, yes
They say Rome wasn't built in a day, but hey
They've got nothing on the patience
That it's taking me to wait
See the sands of the hourglass
Are slipping through your hands
Every grain has got to hurt you
Takes you further from your chance
I've been holding on for way too long
(It's been too long)
Either you're in or you're out
You've got 4 and 20 hours
(24 hours, one day)
Just one day to prove to me
That your love has got the power
(Show me)
Make me believe
You'll take me where I wanna be
4 and 20 hours
And that's me
See everyday I,
I walk out of my front door
And I've been wishing and hoping
That today is the day that you're gonna
You gonna smile in front of my face
And tell me something
Something worth talking about
Tell me that you love me
Tell me you gonna be a man
Show off for me baby
You got one day
I will give you 24 hours baby
That all you should need
Ooh
24 hours should be,
Should be enough for you love
Just make me believe
(Take me where I wanna be)
Make me believe that you're the man for me baby
Ooh, yeah
I gotta believe you, baby
I'm gonna need more than flowers, honey, child
More than talk I'm telling you
4 and 20 hours
4 and 20 hours
It should be more than enough for you
And neither does this woman
I've been trying hard to understand
Would it be?
Many moons have come and gone
And this little heart is still holding on
To what could be, maybe should be, baby
Crazy is all it's making me
I've been holding on for way too long
It can't go on
You've got 4 and 20 hours
Just one day to prove to me
That your love has got the power
Make me believe
You'll take me where I wanna be
4 and 20 hours
And that's me, hm, baby
That's me, yes
They say Rome wasn't built in a day, but hey
They've got nothing on the patience
That it's taking me to wait
See the sands of the hourglass
Are slipping through your hands
Every grain has got to hurt you
Takes you further from your chance
I've been holding on for way too long
(It's been too long)
Either you're in or you're out
You've got 4 and 20 hours
(24 hours, one day)
Just one day to prove to me
That your love has got the power
(Show me)
Make me believe
You'll take me where I wanna be
4 and 20 hours
And that's me
See everyday I,
I walk out of my front door
And I've been wishing and hoping
That today is the day that you're gonna
You gonna smile in front of my face
And tell me something
Something worth talking about
Tell me that you love me
Tell me you gonna be a man
Show off for me baby
You got one day
I will give you 24 hours baby
That all you should need
Ooh
24 hours should be,
Should be enough for you love
Just make me believe
(Take me where I wanna be)
Make me believe that you're the man for me baby
Ooh, yeah
I gotta believe you, baby
I'm gonna need more than flowers, honey, child
More than talk I'm telling you
4 and 20 hours
4 and 20 hours
It should be more than enough for you
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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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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.
Head > Heels
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“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.
yes, i would like to know too - why 4 and 20 hours, but not 24 hours? btw, it is really a nice song, i love joss' vocal performance, arrangement and melody... that's why i would like to study the lyrics as well.