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.
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Didn't plan it, didn't plan it
Different planets stare down on us
Never blinking, sort of winking
Indifferent as deceiving
Observing that we're kneeling in the sands, building plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
I've been sitting in the stove
'Cause outside it's sure been cold
The garbage can's refrigerated
Since that's where the food goes
Making plans, making plans, making plans
Wooden soldiers storm through burning buildings
On the top floor lives the zoo king's neckties
Preventing them from breathing
Oh, it's such a fuzzy feeling
Oh, such a fuzzy feeling, making plans
Gasoline flows out the ends of matchsticks used as pens
And I've been writing some pretty big checks with them
I gave the boat a persons name
So when it sinks I'll know who to blame
The tiger isn't tame
But it's toothless just the same
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans, making plans, making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
These fuckers wanted guilt
They tore me down, and I rebuilt
Much better, oh, much better than before
In India they make mugs, you throw them down
They turn to mud, pull it out
And make them as they were before
Since we shop at the same store
But hate each other at the core
And neither one is getting a fair deal
Sell it all on sex appeal
How you currently feel
Don't need any, just buy one
The second one will be a steal
Hashtagging, photo bragging
No one's even sort of real
No wonder no one feels better than before
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans, making plans, making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
It's level at the peak
Our words don't speak
Calm down, retreat
Me just being here now is enough for me
It's level at the peak
Our words don't speak
You just being here, being you is enough for me
You just being here, being you is enough for me
It's level at the peak
Find your breath, don't speak
Just being here, me and you is enough for me
Just being here, me and you is enough for me
It's level at the peak
Even death just may not be
We'll cross that bridge sometime and see
But just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Didn't plan it, didn't plan it
Different planets stare down on us
Never blinking, sort of winking
Indifferent as deceiving
Observing that we're kneeling in the sands, building plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
I've been sitting in the stove
'Cause outside it's sure been cold
The garbage can's refrigerated
Since that's where the food goes
Making plans, making plans, making plans
Wooden soldiers storm through burning buildings
On the top floor lives the zoo king's neckties
Preventing them from breathing
Oh, it's such a fuzzy feeling
Oh, such a fuzzy feeling, making plans
Gasoline flows out the ends of matchsticks used as pens
And I've been writing some pretty big checks with them
I gave the boat a persons name
So when it sinks I'll know who to blame
The tiger isn't tame
But it's toothless just the same
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans, making plans, making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
These fuckers wanted guilt
They tore me down, and I rebuilt
Much better, oh, much better than before
In India they make mugs, you throw them down
They turn to mud, pull it out
And make them as they were before
Since we shop at the same store
But hate each other at the core
And neither one is getting a fair deal
Sell it all on sex appeal
How you currently feel
Don't need any, just buy one
The second one will be a steal
Hashtagging, photo bragging
No one's even sort of real
No wonder no one feels better than before
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans, making plans, making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
Making plans in the sands as the tides roll in
Making plans
It's level at the peak
Our words don't speak
Calm down, retreat
Me just being here now is enough for me
It's level at the peak
Our words don't speak
You just being here, being you is enough for me
You just being here, being you is enough for me
It's level at the peak
Find your breath, don't speak
Just being here, me and you is enough for me
Just being here, me and you is enough for me
It's level at the peak
Even death just may not be
We'll cross that bridge sometime and see
But just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Just being here now is enough for me
Lyrics submitted by TomThumb681
Wooden Soldiers Lyrics as written by Jim Fairchild Isaac Brock
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I don’t care, I always felt I had a special, weird, poetic, and beautifully strange connection with this mans music. He is my fav for a reason, not just because he writes great song after great song after great song but because it’s like he’s reflecting every long lost deep feeling and or pain I have. And Wooden Soldiers is definitely a take on modern culture and how selfish narcissistic and utterly stupid we collectively are but then it’s becomes this breathtaking ode to his children (who to be honest I don’t think he’s trying to hide or veil) and it just comes together with the mantra at the end and touches a part in my soul that is absolute lyrical poetry. It may help that I just had my first child at 41 yrs old and I relate to this song on such a deeper level even as simple as this mantra is, but sometimes the most simplest thing when it’s presented in such a brilliant poetic way is soul shaking. I love this band. I fkn love this band and his music just gets better and better.
@TomThumb681 I think you're spot-on, the only thing I'd add is I think he touches on self-medication toward the end when referring to the peak and just being there. That's a common therapy tool, being in the moment, but of course, is also associated with certain psychedelics. I think he is providing metaphors for some of the effects of modern culture on his psyche, then at the end kind of gives in and says, fuck it, I'll medicate to distract. r