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.
Sowing the seeds
Roots dig deep, whilst we sleep
Snakes in veins, valves decay
All of the meaningless words we say
Cast the first stone, from behind the throne
Crown of thorns, now overgrown
All our wants and needs, bring us to our knees
Can't turn back now the seeds are sown
Seven billion, one of a kind
Collide together, intertwined
National lines used to define
where we draw the enemy lines
Weapons aren't used in this war
Wait for the fallout from this absence of thought
All the things we can't afford to ignore
The sun doesn't shine anymore
Roots dig deep, whilst we sleep
Snakes in veins, valves decay
All of the meaningless words we say
Cast the first stone, from behind the throne
Crown of thorns, now overgrown
All our wants and needs, bring us to our knees
Can't turn back now the seeds are sown
Seven billion, one of a kind
Collide together, intertwined
National lines used to define
where we draw the enemy lines
Weapons aren't used in this war
Wait for the fallout from this absence of thought
All the things we can't afford to ignore
The sun doesn't shine anymore
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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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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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.
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I think it's about betrayal and having to live with the choices you've made overall. It's like, while we're digging our own graves, we're turning a blind eye to what's happening.. but there will come a point where we're not going to be able to deny it or look away any longer, and we're just going to have to live with what our selfishness, pride, and greed as humans has brought us to.
Great song♥ This band is amazing.