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.
From the waste land
Cold steel under my wasteband
Hazardous times
Enemy lines drawn in the middle the streets
The concrete's stained with blood
I still got to eat
When i hit the street i made the man understand
I fought with flesh and i bled like a man
I rode that edge of darkness my friend
Stood up to the enemy so life could begin
You know you got to
Back the fuck up x5
(Back up off of me)
back up of off me
Off of me x3
Back up back up
Traces of ignorance
Offense of hatred
The faces change in the same old places
Dark nights and lost souls
Collide to cross those
The line between a death and dream
I never wanted to lead your leash
To pull aroud your ton of grief
I'll come back with a fist of lead
To educate your mind with a blow to your head
You know you got to
Back the fuck up x5
(Back up off of me)
Back up of off me
Off of me x3
Don't let the time pass waitin' for the answer
You are exposed to all of the danger! x4
You are exposed to all of the danger! x4
Danger! x3
You know you got to
Back the fuck up x5
(Back up off of me)
Back up of off me
Off of me x3
Don't let the time pass waitin' for the answer x5
Cold steel under my wasteband
Hazardous times
Enemy lines drawn in the middle the streets
The concrete's stained with blood
I still got to eat
When i hit the street i made the man understand
I fought with flesh and i bled like a man
I rode that edge of darkness my friend
Stood up to the enemy so life could begin
You know you got to
Back the fuck up x5
(Back up off of me)
back up of off me
Off of me x3
Back up back up
Traces of ignorance
Offense of hatred
The faces change in the same old places
Dark nights and lost souls
Collide to cross those
The line between a death and dream
I never wanted to lead your leash
To pull aroud your ton of grief
I'll come back with a fist of lead
To educate your mind with a blow to your head
You know you got to
Back the fuck up x5
(Back up off of me)
Back up of off me
Off of me x3
Don't let the time pass waitin' for the answer
You are exposed to all of the danger! x4
You are exposed to all of the danger! x4
Danger! x3
You know you got to
Back the fuck up x5
(Back up off of me)
Back up of off me
Off of me x3
Don't let the time pass waitin' for the answer x5
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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”
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.
American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Imagine yourself in a future where humans and machine merged. Sort of like Battle Angel Alita / Gunnm.
A post-apocalyptic future where robots, drones, biodroids humans and cyborg often requires to fight on martial arts and streetfights in the scrapyard to survive in a world devoid of laws and morals.
I'm sure that's totally the universe this song describes. You have to be strong and never stop fighting.