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.
Last time I was here, it was rainin'
It ain't raining anymore
The streets were drowned, and the water's waning
All the runes washed to shore
Now I'm here lookin' through the rubble
Tryin' to find out who we were
Last time I was here, it was rainin'
Ain't rainin' anymore
Last time I was here, you were waitin'
You're not waitin' anymore
The window's broke and the smoke's escapin'
The books scattered across the floor
And the church bells are ringin' through the sirens
And your coat was full of bullet holes
Last time I was here, you were waitin'
You're not waitin' anymore
So, may the wind blow, may the moonlight know your name
So, let the needle move the record 'round
'Til the walls cave in
And you and I are out there dancin' in the dirty rain
Last time I was here, it was rainin'
Like you've never seen it rain
And your eyes were filled with
Terror and smoke from the gasoline
As the stars exploded with gunfire
I saw you smilin' just before
Last night I was here, you were cryin'
You ain't cryin' anymore
So, may the wind blow, may the moonlight know your name
So, let the needle move the record 'round
'Til the walls cave in and you and I are out there
Dancin' in the dirty rain
Ooh in the dirty rain
Mmm in the dirty rain
In the dirty rain
It ain't raining anymore
The streets were drowned, and the water's waning
All the runes washed to shore
Now I'm here lookin' through the rubble
Tryin' to find out who we were
Last time I was here, it was rainin'
Ain't rainin' anymore
Last time I was here, you were waitin'
You're not waitin' anymore
The window's broke and the smoke's escapin'
The books scattered across the floor
And the church bells are ringin' through the sirens
And your coat was full of bullet holes
Last time I was here, you were waitin'
You're not waitin' anymore
So, may the wind blow, may the moonlight know your name
So, let the needle move the record 'round
'Til the walls cave in
And you and I are out there dancin' in the dirty rain
Last time I was here, it was rainin'
Like you've never seen it rain
And your eyes were filled with
Terror and smoke from the gasoline
As the stars exploded with gunfire
I saw you smilin' just before
Last night I was here, you were cryin'
You ain't cryin' anymore
So, may the wind blow, may the moonlight know your name
So, let the needle move the record 'round
'Til the walls cave in and you and I are out there
Dancin' in the dirty rain
Ooh in the dirty rain
Mmm in the dirty rain
In the dirty rain
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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.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
Plastic Bag
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“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.
I think it's about the demise of a relationship. It sounds as if the last time they were at home together they were in the beginning stages - and being torn to pieces - by the realization that they were breaking up. Now time has passed, she's no longer waiting or crying. Although it saddens him, he understands. He even wishes her well. They've done their best to adjust to the fact that they are no longer together. It was a tough blow, but now they are just digging through the rubble of who they were and trying to move on in the process.