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.
You play these games, baby honestly?
It's such a shame, you think you control me
Control my life, and everything around
I've got my feet on solid ground
I'm gonna push you away with every word that you say
I'm gonna push you away, away
I've let you win too many times
If I gave you my life, it'd be my demise
I'll keep my pride
This is what I have become in my life
I won't be deterred by your guilt or your strife
These are the words back and forth in my mind
I won't be brought down by your games and your pride
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me on my own
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me, all alone
You won't bring me down
I've got my feet on solid ground
You won't bring me down
I've got my feet on solid ground
You said you'd stay, then left me alone
I can't believe you're fine with what you've done
Never again, I've watched you change with time
You're heart is filled with cold, your mouth is full of lies
If I gave you my life, it'd be my demise
I'll keep my pride
I've let you win too many times
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me on my own
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me all alone, all alone
It's such a shame, you think you control me
Control my life, and everything around
I've got my feet on solid ground
I'm gonna push you away with every word that you say
I'm gonna push you away, away
I've let you win too many times
If I gave you my life, it'd be my demise
I'll keep my pride
This is what I have become in my life
I won't be deterred by your guilt or your strife
These are the words back and forth in my mind
I won't be brought down by your games and your pride
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me on my own
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me, all alone
You won't bring me down
I've got my feet on solid ground
You won't bring me down
I've got my feet on solid ground
You said you'd stay, then left me alone
I can't believe you're fine with what you've done
Never again, I've watched you change with time
You're heart is filled with cold, your mouth is full of lies
If I gave you my life, it'd be my demise
I'll keep my pride
I've let you win too many times
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me on my own
Sinking apologies, knowing you're leaving me all alone, all alone
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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.
Blue
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“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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
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 is so extremely self-explanatory, it’s ridiculous. When in the studio, I was swamped with writing, and asked Alan if he wanted to work on lyrics for this one. All except for maybe a sentence or so were solely his own. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the record. The song talks about clearly knowing someone is doing you wrong, and you are simply over it. You’re not going to waste any more time, heart or air on them, because they have cheated you more than once and you have had enough. Someone can only apologize so many times, before their actions cry out louder than any of their words. This song is dedicated to anyone who has ever had someone rip the very ground out from below their feet, leaving them with nothing. Stay planted; everything works out in the end and works out for a reason.” -Austin Carlile