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.
Here I am, stuck in this rut again
Ooh, I don't know what to do
And I haven't got a friend in the world
No, no, no, baby, not even you
But situation number two ain't bad
But number nine ain't good
But I thought I was riding really high
'Cause I'm here hanging in Hollywood
Boy, I hate to tell you
But you really need to check yourself
The life that you're living is gonna catch up to you
Boy, I think you need some help, oh, yeah
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Rumors circulating round about me
And my lavish lifestyle
But situation number nine sets me free
From my tour for awhile
(Well, well, well, well)
I hear somebody knocking at my door
Who, I wonder, who could it be?
(I wonder who it is)
Some people say that I'm paranoid
But they don't really know me, no
Boy, I hate to tell you
But you really need to check yourself
(You really need to check yourself now)
The life that you're living is gonna catch up to you
Boy, I think you need some help, hey, yeah
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Ooh, I don't know what to do
I can't take it no more
Somebody's knocking at my door
Who could it be that's coming here for me?
I wish that you'd just go away, hey, yeah
I tried so hard to do what's right
But it seems it's just not enough
Situation number nine
Is just blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Ooh, I don't know what to do
And I haven't got a friend in the world
No, no, no, baby, not even you
But situation number two ain't bad
But number nine ain't good
But I thought I was riding really high
'Cause I'm here hanging in Hollywood
Boy, I hate to tell you
But you really need to check yourself
The life that you're living is gonna catch up to you
Boy, I think you need some help, oh, yeah
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Rumors circulating round about me
And my lavish lifestyle
But situation number nine sets me free
From my tour for awhile
(Well, well, well, well)
I hear somebody knocking at my door
Who, I wonder, who could it be?
(I wonder who it is)
Some people say that I'm paranoid
But they don't really know me, no
Boy, I hate to tell you
But you really need to check yourself
(You really need to check yourself now)
The life that you're living is gonna catch up to you
Boy, I think you need some help, hey, yeah
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Ooh, I don't know what to do
I can't take it no more
Somebody's knocking at my door
Who could it be that's coming here for me?
I wish that you'd just go away, hey, yeah
I tried so hard to do what's right
But it seems it's just not enough
Situation number nine
Is just blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
Situation number nine
Blowing my mind
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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.
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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”