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.
I can't break the cycle, am I just a fool?
Falling down like dominoes, hit by family jewels
Pass it down from kid to kid, the chain will never end
'Less I decide to go to it, will I see the end?
Ooh, don't you find it strange?
Only thing we share is one last name
Did I beat you at your own game?
Typical of me to put us all to shame
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
Family said that I decided to live a loveless life
Is it my fault we stay divided? 'Cause I got too much pride
Pass the parcel, wrap, unwrap, and open up the locks
Out come flying all the secrets of Pandora's box
Oh, you think I'm unfit
Little did you know that I was cut for it
No glass slipper will ever fit
'Cause I could never see a diamond in it
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
And when we're in the dark, it echoes in your heart
And when you're far away, it beckons me to stay
And when we're in the dark, it echoes in your heart
And when you're far away, it beckons me to stay
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
Falling down like dominoes, hit by family jewels
Pass it down from kid to kid, the chain will never end
'Less I decide to go to it, will I see the end?
Ooh, don't you find it strange?
Only thing we share is one last name
Did I beat you at your own game?
Typical of me to put us all to shame
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
Family said that I decided to live a loveless life
Is it my fault we stay divided? 'Cause I got too much pride
Pass the parcel, wrap, unwrap, and open up the locks
Out come flying all the secrets of Pandora's box
Oh, you think I'm unfit
Little did you know that I was cut for it
No glass slipper will ever fit
'Cause I could never see a diamond in it
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
And when we're in the dark, it echoes in your heart
And when you're far away, it beckons me to stay
And when we're in the dark, it echoes in your heart
And when you're far away, it beckons me to stay
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
Welcome to the family jewels
Coal to diamond, sold to fools
Welcome to the family jewels
Simmerin' sapphire can't keep his cool
I can't keep my cool
I can't keep my cool
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
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.
I think it's about how she feels different from her family and unconnected with them "only thing we share is one last name". “Coal to Diamonds sold to fools” is referring to a common myth that Diamonds actually come from coal, in which they don’t, but some foolish people still believe it. I think marina is metaphorically referring her family to a messed up shady business that sell fake diamonds to fools. I think she's saying that people in her family all lie and are untruthful to each other. I think the song is about how she doesn't want to be like the people in her family and she can't relate to them.