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.
Always beneath the way, always a watch
It's in the fire beneath as we walk through water
Sound covering now, they said, old wind man
He's coming now but you won't see him out now
Out now
It's way too bright in here
Can't be too light, can't feel our way around
It's way too near, it's way too hot in here
Can't feel our legs beneath
We could just fall to pieces into the air
On the day of all the souls, now we cannot see
We're waiting on a sale, now we cannot please
We're waist down in mayhem
Waist down in mayhem, please
Even when you walk alone, you still cannot see
Even when you stand alone, you still cannot see
A way out, you're sounding out
It's way too bright in here
Can't be too light, can't feel our way around
It's way too near, it's way too hot in here
Can't feel our legs beneath
We could just fall to pieces into the air
And all this time we'll always be
Standing, just standing
In time we'll never know
Why we're standing, we're standing
It's way too bright in here
Can't be too light, can't feel our way around
It's way too near, it's way too hot in here
Can't feel our legs beneath
We could just fall to pieces into the air
It's in the fire beneath as we walk through water
Sound covering now, they said, old wind man
He's coming now but you won't see him out now
Out now
It's way too bright in here
Can't be too light, can't feel our way around
It's way too near, it's way too hot in here
Can't feel our legs beneath
We could just fall to pieces into the air
On the day of all the souls, now we cannot see
We're waiting on a sale, now we cannot please
We're waist down in mayhem
Waist down in mayhem, please
Even when you walk alone, you still cannot see
Even when you stand alone, you still cannot see
A way out, you're sounding out
It's way too bright in here
Can't be too light, can't feel our way around
It's way too near, it's way too hot in here
Can't feel our legs beneath
We could just fall to pieces into the air
And all this time we'll always be
Standing, just standing
In time we'll never know
Why we're standing, we're standing
It's way too bright in here
Can't be too light, can't feel our way around
It's way too near, it's way too hot in here
Can't feel our legs beneath
We could just fall to pieces into the air
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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.
Punchline
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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.
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
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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.
A very abstract song - I'd think it's probably about dealing with the fragility discovered in the course of "Fingers", emotional turmoil, and the trials of living life. You can endure, but after a while, you come to question why you're just standing still - if everything weren't confusing, perhaps you could finally move on.