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.
The businessmen are drinking my blood
Like the kids in art school said they would
And I guess I'll just begin again
You say, "can we still be friends?"
If I was scared
I would
And if I was bored
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
All the kids have always known
That the emperor wears no clothes
But they bow to down to him anyway
'Cause it's better than being alone
If I was scared
I would
And if I was bored
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now you're knocking at my door
Saying, "please come out with us tonight"
But I would rather be alone
Than pretend that I feel alright
If the businessmen are drinking my blood
Like the kids in art school said they would
Then I guess I'll just begin again
You say, "can we still be friends"
If I was scared
I would
And if I was pure
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now, I'm ready to start
If I was scared
I would
And if I was pure
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now, I'm ready to start
Now, I'm ready to start
I would rather be wrong
Than live in the shadows of your song
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
Now I'm ready to start
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
You're not sure you'll open the door
To step out into the dark
Now I'm ready
Like the kids in art school said they would
And I guess I'll just begin again
You say, "can we still be friends?"
If I was scared
I would
And if I was bored
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
All the kids have always known
That the emperor wears no clothes
But they bow to down to him anyway
'Cause it's better than being alone
If I was scared
I would
And if I was bored
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now you're knocking at my door
Saying, "please come out with us tonight"
But I would rather be alone
Than pretend that I feel alright
If the businessmen are drinking my blood
Like the kids in art school said they would
Then I guess I'll just begin again
You say, "can we still be friends"
If I was scared
I would
And if I was pure
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now, I'm ready to start
If I was scared
I would
And if I was pure
You know I would
And if I was yours
But I'm not
Now, I'm ready to start
Now, I'm ready to start
I would rather be wrong
Than live in the shadows of your song
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
Now I'm ready to start
My mind is open wide
And now I'm ready to start
You're not sure you'll open the door
To step out into the dark
Now I'm ready
Lyrics submitted by MaxpowerSupreme, edited by mattisyourhero, kiwilyrics, Coach
Ready to Start Lyrics as written by Regine Chassagne Jeremy Gara
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
"But I would rather be alone Than pretend I feel alright"
Awesome.
I think it's about staring a "Normal Life" (9-5 job, 2-3 kids, house in the suburbs) but knowing the pitfalls of living it (soul sucking job - 1st verse, playing catching up to the Joneses - 2nd verse, going out to socials for appearances sake - 3rd verse). And it's about staring life over, after these lessons are learned, but not having the love you started this life with originally (1st verse also,and chorus) Because of the loss of love, it is done differently, on his/her own terms, without fear (I would rather be wrong, then live in the shadows of your song).
It took a while to get the full meaning, but this song just hit me like a bullet when i heard it on the radio.
It would fit seeing how "suburbs" is the theme here.<br /> I can really identify with this song. It's like growing out of youth into adulthood and living in the adult world. Life through the eyes of a teenager is very beautiful. You can do anything and reach for the stars, no one is stopping you. But when you grow up you realize that life is not what you thought it was AT ALL. You are not as entitled as you think you are. You are pretty much at the bottom.<br /> I really feel that this song is about "coming to terms with what your life actually is". It's like a realization, like "oh, now I'm ready to start".
I got mostly the same thing out of this song. To me, it's about accepting what your life is going to be now that you've grown up. But it also is about dealing with where you've come from- dealing with where you were and what type of person you were in College (and being tempted to go back to that,) while you try to leave it behind and accept being an adult in the real world. Saying that yes, I know being an adult with a full time job sucks, but I'm ok with it, and I'm not going to go back to being a kid- as tempting as it may be.<br /> <br /> I also agree with tifnz about the title of the song. It's about literally being 'ready to start' life as an adult. The song also hit me like a bullet, undoubtedly because of my age and the fact that I'm making that transition to full adulthood. Just a very powerful song.<br /> <br />
Official lyrics from the song booklet.
If the businessmen drink my blood Like the kids at art school said they would The I guess I'll just begin again. You say, can we still be friends?
If I was scared, I would, And if I was bored, you know I would, And if I was yours, but I'm not.
All the kids have always known That the emperor wears no clothes But they bow down to him anyway 'cause it's better then being alone.
If I was scared, I would, and if I was bored, you know I would, And if I was yours, but I'm not.
Now you're knocking at my door Saying: "Please come out with us tonight" But I would rather be alone, then pretend I feel alright.
If the businessmen drink my blood Like the kids at art school said they would The I guess I'll just begin again. You say, can we still be friends?
If I was scared, I would, And if I was pure, you know I would, And if I was yours, but I'm not. Now I'm ready to start.
If I was scared, I would, And if I was pure, you know I would, And if I was yours, but I'm not. Now I'm ready to start.
Now I'm ready to start, I would rather be wrong than Live in the shadows of your song. My mind is open wide and Now I'm ready to start. My mind is open wide And now I'm ready to start.
You're not sure You opened the door and step out into the dark. Now I'm ready.
I think this song is about an epiphany he's having....about breaking away from the perils and weaknesses of people in your life, whether it be in your career or relationships. You can feel the energy at the end of the song, and difference in beat, its almost as if he's transforming in front of us into a stronger person, who's ready to break away from the bad business or bad relationship and start over. He's willing to do this even if it means being wrong, or alone (without the relationship). You can see he's decided he'd rather face those risks/consequences than live his life in a way he doesn't want. Throughout the song, he implies that he's stronger than most people in society including the business men, the kids, the group knocking at his door.
He begins the song by describing past experiences, first with the businessmen who took advantage of him and his art, but he's stronger than them. Then, he describes, how (what I think is a post breakup) his ex still wants him in her life still, but he's going to be stronger, he's not scared, and he's stronger, and knows he'll be happier on his own, although he admits in the next line sometimes its easier to follow the evils or ills than face the reality and "be alone"
I think his courage is authentic, motivating and moving. He's basically saying, TAKE THE CHANCE, don't let anyone drag you down, don't follow blindly, follow your heart, you might be wrong, but at least you're doing it your way. Particularly for relationships ending, he's saying break away and "step out into the dark", at least you won't live by someone else's standards but your own.
@callieforrunning I agree with this. This is exactly what I got from this song too.
I think the 2nd verse is actually
"All the kids have always known that the emperor wears no clothes but they bow down to him anyway it's better than being alone"
No clothes rather than new clothes, as I think its a pretty blatant reference to the fable of the emperors new clothes, so i guess it could be new or no, but it really sounds like 'no'
I agree - sounds like it could go either way but from the context of the line after "but they bow down to him anyway" suggest that it is 'no' and not 'new.
actually this is definately the case - you can hear him better live youtube.com/watch#!
Agreed. "No Clothes" rather than new clothes makes more sense especially with the lines that follow. Personally, I think this might be a political statement about how sometimes people want to believe in something that's wrong, simply because they don't want to be alone. People want to be part of something bigger and often ignore the truth for the sake of belonging.
Despite having read the post below about the actual lyrics via song booklet, I felt as though "the emperor wears new clothes" seemed plausible... In real life, the phrase is accurately "the emperor wears no clothes" but in the song, when he's singing that all the kids know the emperor wears NEW clothes, it touches upon the surge of materialism/ obsession with "trendiness" present in today's youth culture. He's illustrating the thrashing contrast between modern society and previous generation's values/beliefs in adolescence.<br />
The thing is, in the story the Emperor thinks he is wearing new clothes, as does everyone else except for the children, who can see that he is naked and one informs the rest of the adults. So I think it is very likely 'No'
The lyric booklet from the album says:<br /> ""All the kids have always known<br /> that the emperor wears NO clothes<br /> but they bow down to HIM anyway<br /> 'cause it's better than being alone"<br /> <br /> "no" completes the rhyme and makes sense. <br /> also, "him" refers to the emperor, whereas "them" would mean that the kids are bowing down to his clothes.
I can see many possibilities for the reference to the emperor wears no clothes. <br /> <br /> First, the idea that someone that is in that type of position such as an emperor, president, mayor, movie star, or any other role is "naked" in a sense. They have no secrets, no further truths, no more than you or I, but we accept into believing that they know the way. It seems that its better to get in line and sit and bow down to another to feel connected with "humanity" and accept that we are just being told what to do by big brother, religion, or whoever else influences you. <br /> <br /> Secondly, the possibility of the continued religious references in previous albums, possibly referring to priests and holy figures and their involvement with children in a sexual way. We are aware that it occurs, but many still go to their place of worship despite what has occurred. Considering Neon Bible is a previous album, seems to me that we are moving past religion as that album illustrated and are now immersed in a technologically advanced world where stories of the past, like the Bible, Koran, and Harry Potter are all just stories of creativity and have be read millions of times with nothing except entertainment and man-made values illustrated. Like weaker religions, Aztecs, tribal belief systems, Roman belief system that there were gods for all different types of unexplained worldly events, so as in the past through our Neon Bibles will keep our blind faith just as books and our minds have for centuries. Acceptance that they are just stories,and we are ready to start new a new wave of thinking where we are all "naked" in a sense. Nothing more than a man or woman.<br /> <br /> We accept our faith blindly. All of these ideas leading to the author's acceptance that it is his time and he is ready to start his way. To me it seems like the author is saying his mind is open wide and he's not going to live in their delusion. Literally, make his own reality which I admire. Something we all should do, the only question is are you "Ready to Start"?
I think most of the meanings posted have been rather positive, as if the singer is looking at the future - what MIGHT happen based on what people have told him anecdotally. I guess I have to ask... what's wrong with this song being a little darker?
What if the singer is looking back on their life and realizing they've been scared to start it. If I was scared, I would start another life. If I was bored, you know I would start again. If I was yours, I'd be ready to, you might be a good reason to do it. But I'm not. There's really no impetus, no drive to do anything.
The Arcade Fire are incredibly intelligent in their understanding and interpretation of subject matter. Take a look at some associated works on the suburbs and the social malaise it creates, including the problem of having no problems and thus, no purpose (and how comfortable we are with that, how fatalism and religion intersects with that, etc.):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chumscrubber en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havoc_(film) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desaparecidos_(band)
This is a good point because Win Bulter and Regine Chasagne were married for almost 10 years before they had their daughter (which they just had.) I think it could be about really starting your life. I also think this song could be about selling out and certain trendy friends feelings that they may have sold out by getting a corporate label.
@elbuenob I totally agree with that, your 2nd paragraph. The businessmen drank his blood, he's an average corporate schlub, doesn't love it but it's too comfortable to take any risks.
I think the song is about being someone you're not vs. being the real you. He talks about the things people do out of fear of being alone or rejected. He uses scenarios that relate to being someone you're not and how he would rather be the person he is sometimes.
"But to bow down to him anyway, is better than to be alone"-- he's referring to people and what they do to fit in.
"But I would rather be alone, than pretend I feel alright"-- pretty self explanatory, but he's saying he'd rather be alone than pretend he's someone he's not.
the song could have a different meaning for everyone. the use of different scenarios could be revealing different meanings of the song. such as a ended relationship.
People find themselves in all kinds of wrong relationships (profession, love, friends) they can't get out of because of fear, habit, boredom, commitment... It's very hard and thus very brave to say NO to all that in order to start again and stay true to your own beliefs. If only everyone could do that...
I think this song is about getting over a long relationship.
"And I guess I'll just begin again" You always have to move on from a break up.
"You say can we still be friends" Girls(and guys sometimes) always want to stay friends.
"Now you're knocking at my door Saying please come out against the night But I would rather be alone Than pretend I feel alright"
If it was a long and loving relationship something like this always happens. One person is feeling like **** and doesn't want to do anything well the other person is trying to get him/her to get out and meet new people.
"Now I'm ready to start I would rather be wrong Than live in the shadows of your song My mind is open wide And now I'm ready to start Your mind surely opened the door To step out into the dark Now I'm ready" The Narrator has finally realized that it's time to move on.
Just my 2 cents.
I thought it was about a relationship too. More like he is comfortable in it and realizes that it isn't what he wants. He knows it may be the wrong decision, but he's going to stick with it no matter what. He's not going to be friends with them again, he's ending it completely. "You say can we still be friends" "If I was yours, but I'm not."<br /> <br /> The businessman part confuses me though. It makes me think that it is about their popularity becoming too much for them. Their fear of selling out.<br /> <br /> I think the relationship makes more sense for majority of the sound, but again the whole "businessmen drink my blood" part throws off that theory a little.
This song is about an idealistic young adult who doesn't know what life to live in this world. On the one side there is the 'real' world, where the behemoth called free market economics resides; it will shallow you whole. This is the jungle where others prey on you in order to survive. ('Businessmen drink my blood'). On the other side there are his friends and others he knows, the hippie kind of people who are anti-establishment and just want to have fun and be artistic and free. They have seen that the ‘real world’ is hostile and try stay away from it ('Like the kids in art school said they would'). The person cannot choose, because he thinks neither of those 'choices' is really what he wants. There is a sense that there could be some sort of solution to a problem. ('And I guess I'll just begin again'). The people he cares about go in different directions, so he asks himself if he should let them go ('You say, can we still be friends'). He uses the form ‘you’ to reflect his own doubts. In the chorus the person reflects on who he is, what drives him and what he stands for. If he was afraid and ignorant he would already have made his choice ('If I was scared I would'). If he wasn't a person who looks for a deeper meaning in his life, he would've chosen what to do already ('And if I was bored You know I would'). And if he was ready to commit himself to the people he loves he would base his life choices on them ('And if I was yours Well I'm not'). The chorus expresses how much pressure the world puts on you if you do not yet have a clear direction for your life. It feels like you are constantly forced to explain yourself. The second verse is about society and how it deals with purpose. Almost everyone understands at some point in his young life that objective purpose is an illusion ('All the kids have always known That the emperor wears no clothes'). Most people try to ignore the man behind the curtain and try to fit into society ('But to bow to down to them anyway'). Being conformist seems easier than trying to discover if there could really be a deeper purpose in life. It takes courage to face your inner fears ('Is better than being alone'). In the chorus the person reflects again on where he stands, who he is and what he wants. If he was afraid he would've fit into society already, but he has the courage to explore and discover everything ('If I was scared I would'). If he already found out that there is nothing out there, no deeper meaning or purpose, he would have given up by now, but he is not done yet ('And if I was bored You know I would'). The people who love him keep interfering with his personal choices, but he begins to understand that he is an individual who must try to find his own place in this world ('And if I was yours But I'm not'). Note: The difference between the first and second chorus is the replacement of the word 'well' by 'but'. This change marks the difference in confidence the person has. In the second chorus he really understands that he has his own life to live and he is less reluctant to let people go if they drag him down. The third verse is about an existential crisis and depression you have to face, because this is an inevitable effect of the path the person has chosen to take. At certain points you think the world might be too hostile, too evil. Is life really worth living you ask yourself? This is the point where your family and friends try to help you by dragging you into 'normal life' again ('Now you're knocking at my door Saying please come out against tonight'). At his moment you are not yet weak enough to let that happen. You have ideals and do not want to give up on them, you don’t want to give upon yourself! The person accepts he has to feel miserable sometimes to get somewhere (‘But I would rather be alone Than pretend I feel alright’). The rest of the verse is the same as the first verse. It means that the person reminds himself of his reasons for taking control of his own life. It reminds him why he is where he is right now. The world has not changed. There is still the underlying structure of corporately promoted materialism. In society there is still the pretense that everything is all right and the person cannot bear that yet. In the chorus the person tries to reassure himself and find his strength again to continue his existential path. Yes, he would turn backwards if he was afraid. He would stop if he could, but he feels no remorse for being egoistic (‘And if I was Pure You know I would’). He realizes that he is truly a liberated individual, set free from the societal hive-mind. He understands that he has to give his own value to everything he knows. The next chorus is a repetition to strengthen the message. The person has become the master of his own mind. He is reborn and is ready to take on any challenge. He is truly Read to Start! In the last part of the song he has to exclaim it to the world. He is sure, he is determined. He does not care about what others think of him anymore ‘(I would rather be wrong’), because he is free from ignorance (‘Than live in the shadows of your song’). His mind is open to accept anything he is willing to dedicate himself to (‘My mind is open wide And now I'm ready to start’). His soul-searching is completed and now he can re-enter the world as a new person (‘Your mind surely opened the door To step out into the dark’). He is Ready.
my favourite off their new album thus far. brilliant stuff.