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.
Doncamatic
Down lowly
Make up for the time you've wasted
Come slowly
And claim back the boy you left behind
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
They said the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
Tell me did you feel that?
Don't slow down
Even if it's only to escape
Just down, low down
Before somebody steals your place man
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
And the conversation's over
We're all played out, played out, all played out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Doncamatic
Down lowly
Make up for the time you wasted
Come slowly
Claim back the boy you left behind and
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
It's time to wipe out to the bar get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all auto tuned
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, played out, played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Down lowly
Make up for the time you've wasted
Come slowly
And claim back the boy you left behind
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
They said the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
Tell me did you feel that?
Don't slow down
Even if it's only to escape
Just down, low down
Before somebody steals your place man
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
And the conversation's over
We're all played out, played out, all played out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Doncamatic
Down lowly
Make up for the time you wasted
Come slowly
Claim back the boy you left behind and
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
It's time to wipe out to the bar get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all auto tuned
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, played out, played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Lyrics submitted by VocalSoul, edited by 2DhatesWhales
Doncamatic Lyrics as written by Damon Albarn Daley
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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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.
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.
I found this on YouTube. it was a comment from 'ltvg4g';
Damon in a recent interview:
"I just wanted to make a pop song; I just wanted to get back on the radio. I was just fucked off no-one was playing me on the radio. When Melancholy Hill came out in England Radio One said ‘Oh no we are trying to keep our core audience under thirty’ and I was like well ‘fuck you then!,’ and radio two said ‘Oh no this is way to edgy for our over 30 audience’, so I found myself totally barred from radio and I was like, that’s not fair."
in essence, everyone who's said it's about the music industry is pretty spot on. it's a generic pop song, but I think it still stands out & is a lot better than the rest. funny thing is, people don't always pay attention to the lyrics, & I think Damon knows that so this song is pretty clever.
I love this. I COMPLETELY get it. BUT! i think Damon shouldn't have to sell out just to be played on the radio. I'M NOT CALLING HIM A SELL OUT!!!! Gorillaz is FARRR from sell out.
That's such a shame! I wish that he wouldn't go solo... I love the Gorillaz. /:<br /> <br /> FML.
As a HUGE fan of Daley and Damon Albarn and his work, especially Gorillaz, it makes me sad to see them not get on the radios, and see Gorillaz go through (for lack of a better word) issues, and be helpless. Guess the only thing I can do is what Daley says, and dwnload them off iTunes :\