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 can find all you need
The message is in the silence
Whisper words to calm your mind
Reach inside numb the pain come-around
With answers
We are ghosts of the concrete world
Genetic codes of a dying breed
Will I be left behind
Sounds of a playground fading
Staring into bright lights
I am what I've done
It is useless to hide
An empty chamber
Guess I was part of a plan
We are ghosts of the concrete world
Genetic codes of a dying breed
Will I be left behind
Sounds of a playground fading
We're running out of time
Can't seem to recognize
What put us here in the first place
Counting down the days, beginning of the end
We are ghosts of the concrete world
Genetic codes of a dying breed
Will I be left behind
Sounds of a playground fading
The message is in the silence
Whisper words to calm your mind
Reach inside numb the pain come-around
With answers
We are ghosts of the concrete world
Genetic codes of a dying breed
Will I be left behind
Sounds of a playground fading
Staring into bright lights
I am what I've done
It is useless to hide
An empty chamber
Guess I was part of a plan
We are ghosts of the concrete world
Genetic codes of a dying breed
Will I be left behind
Sounds of a playground fading
We're running out of time
Can't seem to recognize
What put us here in the first place
Counting down the days, beginning of the end
We are ghosts of the concrete world
Genetic codes of a dying breed
Will I be left behind
Sounds of a playground fading
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
It seems like he's talking about the world (or maybe the musical world) changing with technology and he is afraid of being left behind by the evolving world around him. Sounds of a playground fading could mean that kids are changing. instead of playgrounds, they sit inside all day. The plan is a path to our own destruction. We build the technology and then it replaces us.