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.
Was an honest man
Asked me for the phone
Tried to take control
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
We shared some ideas
All obsessed with fame
Says we're all the same
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
Raised in Carolina
I'm not like that
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I missed the last bus, I'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
The joke is on you, this place is a zoo
You're right it's true
He says he can't decide
I shake my head to say
Everything's just great
Oh, I just can't remember
I just can't remember
Raised in Carolina
She says, "I'm not like that"
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
Oh man, can't you see I'm nervous? So please
Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean
I missed the last bus, we'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
Asked me for the phone
Tried to take control
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
We shared some ideas
All obsessed with fame
Says we're all the same
Oh, I don't see it that way
I don't see it that way
Raised in Carolina
I'm not like that
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I missed the last bus, I'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
The joke is on you, this place is a zoo
You're right it's true
He says he can't decide
I shake my head to say
Everything's just great
Oh, I just can't remember
I just can't remember
Raised in Carolina
She says, "I'm not like that"
Tryin' to remind her
When we go back
I say the right thing, but act the wrong way
I like it right here, but I cannot stay
I watch the TV, forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
Oh man, can't you see I'm nervous? So please
Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean
I missed the last bus, we'll take the next train
I'll try but you see, it's hard to explain
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Light Up The Sky
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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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
I don't think this song is about pretending to be someone else or a jab at Fred Durst, simply put I think it about the idea that some things are hard to explain. Not everything needs to be explained, not everything needs to be understood. There are some things that just are. For example ask me why I like the Strokes and I don't need to justify it by saying they are rock n' roll personified or they rediscover the roots of 70's garage-punk found in the Velvet Underground or Television. I like the Strokes because hearing them triggers some weird part of me that wants to shake my ass and play air guitar. Can't really explain, it just happens. It's just a gut feeling, like in the lyric "I like it right here, but I cannot stay." Why do you want to go somewhere else where here is good? I don't know, I just do. They apply this to many ideas in the song: fame, laziness, relationships, honesty, youth, music critics, etc ... In the end they are just asking people to accept them for who they are, without any forced explanation. There does not need to be a context for acceptance. Either you like them or you don't.