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.
Conquered fears in twenty years, all in all it's been so long
So many times I know I’m wrong
I've been up I've been down,
I've been up from off the ground
It's not what I've lost but what I've found
We're getting by with double vision
On the verge of fate's decision
We're getting high on tunnel vision trough a world from one collision
My head goes, when my blood flows
Trough my veins so fast it glows
Externally it doesn't show
Push me left, push me right, push me hard until it's night
It's not what is gone but what's in sight
We're getting by with double vision
On the verge of fate's decision
We're getting high on tunnel vision trough a world from one collision
The voices keep on talking, but they don't understand
The voices keep on talking, but they don't understand
The voices keep on talking, but they don't understand
So many times I know I’m wrong
I've been up I've been down,
I've been up from off the ground
It's not what I've lost but what I've found
We're getting by with double vision
On the verge of fate's decision
We're getting high on tunnel vision trough a world from one collision
My head goes, when my blood flows
Trough my veins so fast it glows
Externally it doesn't show
Push me left, push me right, push me hard until it's night
It's not what is gone but what's in sight
We're getting by with double vision
On the verge of fate's decision
We're getting high on tunnel vision trough a world from one collision
The voices keep on talking, but they don't understand
The voices keep on talking, but they don't understand
The voices keep on talking, but they don't understand
Lyrics submitted by Alls
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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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.