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.
(Don't give up)
(I won't give up, no)
Save praise for a better man
No need for your touching hands
There's nothing to understand
I'm one with the lost and damned
It's a long road and you're on your own
Take care of your broken soul
'Cause there must be
There must be
I've drink all the remedies
Too young for these memories
Swing low, bitter melodies
False hope from the teeth of the enemy
It's a long road and you're on your own
Take care of my broken soul
'Cause there must be
There must be angels, guiding the way
There must be angels, saving our grace
There must be heaven for people who stray
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
So don't give up
I won't give up
No, don't give up
I, 'Cause there must be angels
There must be angels
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
Lost hope, keeping dreams afloat
I stand just a man on the tight rope
Got faith but I'll never know
See wings when I look through my telescope
It's a long road and you're on your own
Take care of my broken soul
'Cause there must be
There must be angels, guiding the way
There must be angels, saving our grace
There must be heaven for people who stray
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
So don't give up
I won't give up
No, don't give up
I- 'Cause there must be angels
There must be angels
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
No, don't give up
I won't give up
No, don't give up
I won't give up
'Cause there must be angels
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
(I won't give up, no)
Save praise for a better man
No need for your touching hands
There's nothing to understand
I'm one with the lost and damned
It's a long road and you're on your own
Take care of your broken soul
'Cause there must be
There must be
I've drink all the remedies
Too young for these memories
Swing low, bitter melodies
False hope from the teeth of the enemy
It's a long road and you're on your own
Take care of my broken soul
'Cause there must be
There must be angels, guiding the way
There must be angels, saving our grace
There must be heaven for people who stray
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
So don't give up
I won't give up
No, don't give up
I, 'Cause there must be angels
There must be angels
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
Lost hope, keeping dreams afloat
I stand just a man on the tight rope
Got faith but I'll never know
See wings when I look through my telescope
It's a long road and you're on your own
Take care of my broken soul
'Cause there must be
There must be angels, guiding the way
There must be angels, saving our grace
There must be heaven for people who stray
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
So don't give up
I won't give up
No, don't give up
I- 'Cause there must be angels
There must be angels
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
No, don't give up
I won't give up
No, don't give up
I won't give up
'Cause there must be angels
There must be heaven in this hell that I'm living
'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving
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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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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Ameen to that brother!\nAs we walk that thin line of hope over the abyss of despair, like every day, this is our chant till we reach the other side. Let alone the judgements, the pride, our demons haunts us relentlessly to sink us into darkness. To take out our sight of hope, of colors in this life. "there\'s no angel for you. You\'re alone. You always were" they say. We shall say\n"There must be angels, guiding the way\nThere must be angels, saving our grace\nThere must be heaven for people who stray\nThere must be heaven in this hell that I\'m living\n\'Cause heaven seems to be so forgiving"