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.
Close my eyes and you’re still with me
In the trees with the locusts buzzing, but I
Never can keep my eyes closed long enough
And no amount of dreaming can bring you back, so
I can’t remember if I told you I loved you that morning
Out on the lake, you called for your mother and my
Heart broke into a million pieces
A kind of darkness you just never get used to
So, I stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
Wonder if all this pain I carry is
Strong enough to lift your body from the water
And make you be alive again
I think stupid things like this all the time, but
I would gladly trade my life for yours
If only the water could bargain
If only they had been watching
I can’t turn back, only face forward, but
I would gladly trade my life for yours
If only the water could bargain
If only they had been watching
I can’t turn back, only face forward
Open my eyes now, task in front of me
And your voice is always calling, but I
Can’t control the rage inside of me
Spill their blood ‘til the world is done with me
I want you to know right now that I loved you
When you left it almost killed your mother, but
Something inside me propels me forward
A kind of rage you just never get used to
So, I stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
And everything that I touch is dead
Everything that I wanted is gone
Nothing before me now but pain
Nothing before me but pain
And your voice
Your voice, of course
Someday I’ll reach you
In my dreams I can reach you
So, I stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
Cutting the meat
Forest of meat
Spill their blood
Spilling their blood
And resurrect my son
Resurrect my son
Stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
In the trees with the locusts buzzing, but I
Never can keep my eyes closed long enough
And no amount of dreaming can bring you back, so
I can’t remember if I told you I loved you that morning
Out on the lake, you called for your mother and my
Heart broke into a million pieces
A kind of darkness you just never get used to
So, I stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
Wonder if all this pain I carry is
Strong enough to lift your body from the water
And make you be alive again
I think stupid things like this all the time, but
I would gladly trade my life for yours
If only the water could bargain
If only they had been watching
I can’t turn back, only face forward, but
I would gladly trade my life for yours
If only the water could bargain
If only they had been watching
I can’t turn back, only face forward
Open my eyes now, task in front of me
And your voice is always calling, but I
Can’t control the rage inside of me
Spill their blood ‘til the world is done with me
I want you to know right now that I loved you
When you left it almost killed your mother, but
Something inside me propels me forward
A kind of rage you just never get used to
So, I stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
And everything that I touch is dead
Everything that I wanted is gone
Nothing before me now but pain
Nothing before me but pain
And your voice
Your voice, of course
Someday I’ll reach you
In my dreams I can reach you
So, I stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
Cutting the meat
Forest of meat
Spill their blood
Spilling their blood
And resurrect my son
Resurrect my son
Stare at the lake
Biding my time
Waiting to die
Lyrics submitted by furyroad97
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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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Hayalperest
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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.
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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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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.