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 used to ride up on the hill
And look down at the darkened silhouettes
Of tall black windowsills
And my heart jumped every ledge
Till one bright morning when I woke
I heard bells, girl she gently spoke
And said "Choice my man's to breath or choke
So go die, or learn to hope"
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
Sometimes walls come caving in
And sometimes the world just hits your chin
And sometimes shadows haunt your back
And sometimes I feel so flat
Then like some rare eagle on the wind
Well it turns and life comes bursting in
And the earth you thought would beat you down
Lifts up and lights your ground
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
And look down at the darkened silhouettes
Of tall black windowsills
And my heart jumped every ledge
Till one bright morning when I woke
I heard bells, girl she gently spoke
And said "Choice my man's to breath or choke
So go die, or learn to hope"
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
Sometimes walls come caving in
And sometimes the world just hits your chin
And sometimes shadows haunt your back
And sometimes I feel so flat
Then like some rare eagle on the wind
Well it turns and life comes bursting in
And the earth you thought would beat you down
Lifts up and lights your ground
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
Get back on your way
At the end of the day
Under the fire and the rain
The whole big bloody parade
Until that, that feeling, feeling's gone
You wake up on your own
Lyrics submitted by barbelie
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
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
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.
This song gives me a sneaking suspicion that we might just have, possibly, maybe, heard the last Empire studio album. Has the feeling gone? It's certainly changed massively since the days of their first two albums. It's not just the musical style, it's the whole philosophy of their music seen through the lyrics - they'll never write another straightforward "life is for living" song in the mould of Two Shoes, Manifesto, The Chariot, Days Like These, One Four Five (the list goes on). Much of the lyricism on the new album just seems darker, almost less sure of themselves - plus there's not one song in a major key on Cinema.
If you consider the band's development through So Many Nights, they did become more philosophical and measured, bordering on sadness (Sunny Moon, No Mountain...) but they mixed it up with jubilation (Strong Coffee, Panama). The new album doesn't seem to have that element. If Fishies is to So Many Nights as 'How To Explain?' is to The Cat Empire, Falling is Cinema's equivalent and it just seems that little bit more negative.
Of course, I'm probably totally wrong and they'll continue to develop their sound and songwriting over another ten years and amaze us all with what they come up with. But I'm making damn sure I'm catching them live again when they next come to the UK.