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 fall asleep
In front of the TV
So I forget
What I'm thinking
And oh don't you wanna know
Is it any easier
Oh don't you wanna know
Is it fun to close your eyes
We're going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
Were going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
Were driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
The colours they merge the scream and shout
I watch my mind
Try and work things out
I think it's clear
But three days later its wrong
And oh don't you wanna know
Is it any easier
Oh don't you wanna know
Is it fun to close your eyes
We're going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
We're going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
The colours they merge they scream and shout
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out loud
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out loud
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out loud
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out
We're going round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
Round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
Round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
Round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
Were going round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
In front of the TV
So I forget
What I'm thinking
And oh don't you wanna know
Is it any easier
Oh don't you wanna know
Is it fun to close your eyes
We're going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
Were going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
Were driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
The colours they merge the scream and shout
I watch my mind
Try and work things out
I think it's clear
But three days later its wrong
And oh don't you wanna know
Is it any easier
Oh don't you wanna know
Is it fun to close your eyes
We're going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
We're going round and round and up and and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
The colours they merge they scream and shout
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out loud
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out loud
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out loud
Listen up, listen hear everybody scream out
We're going round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
Round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
Round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
Round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
Were going round and round and up and down
Turning something inside out
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
We're driving from the backseat
Holding on too tightly
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I guess she's singing about motorbikes as bicycles don't tend to have backseats. Unless you're giving someone a backy.