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.
I don't feel the suns comin' out today
It's staying in, it's gonna find another way
As I sit here in this misery
I don't think I'll ever no ??
See the sun from here
And oh as I fade away
They'll all look at me and say, and they'll say
Hey look at him, I'll never live that way
And that's okay
They're just afraid to change
When you feel your life ain't worth living
You've got to stand up
And take a look around and you look way up to the sky
Yeah, and when your deepest thoughts are broken
Keep on dreaming boy, 'cause when you stop dreamin' it's time to die
And as we all play parts of tomorrow
Some ways will work and other ways we'll play
But I know we all can't stay here forever
So I want to write my words on the face of today
And then they'll paint it
And oh as I fade away
They'll all look at me and they'll say
Hey look at him and where he is these days
When life is hard, you have to change
When life is hard, you have to change
It's staying in, it's gonna find another way
As I sit here in this misery
I don't think I'll ever no ??
See the sun from here
And oh as I fade away
They'll all look at me and say, and they'll say
Hey look at him, I'll never live that way
And that's okay
They're just afraid to change
When you feel your life ain't worth living
You've got to stand up
And take a look around and you look way up to the sky
Yeah, and when your deepest thoughts are broken
Keep on dreaming boy, 'cause when you stop dreamin' it's time to die
And as we all play parts of tomorrow
Some ways will work and other ways we'll play
But I know we all can't stay here forever
So I want to write my words on the face of today
And then they'll paint it
And oh as I fade away
They'll all look at me and they'll say
Hey look at him and where he is these days
When life is hard, you have to change
When life is hard, you have to change
Lyrics submitted by bubbrock316
Change Lyrics as written by Shannon Hoon Glen Graham
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
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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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
This is my absolute favorite BlindMelon song. probably one of my alltime favorite songs ever. Again, there is no code or hidden messages, its just him telling it like it is. this is about life, plain and simple. You do your best. Sometimes you feel a little down because everything isnt going quite the way you want it to. You're trying to achieve something great, and other people are trying to hold you back because they know they themselves will never be great. As you go through life you have to accept change and grow. After you have accepted the past is gone and youve changed it opens up a whole new land of opportunities. He's also saying that our lives here on earth are finite, and we cant hold on to it. So while you're here, you do what you have to do, you work, but you also have some time for play. You leave your impression on the world and then you move on. Simple and beautiful. Thank you Mr Hoon. You are still well remembered.
shannon hoon and blind melon were the best musicians to come out of the early 90s and yes im considering nirvana, alice and chains, soundgarden etc they were lyrically and musically better than all of them
@deleteme152 Blind Melon was really good, but RHCP would have to be mine, Smith Flea and Frusciante, all amazing musicians, Anthony was unique.
@deleteme152 Blind Melon was really good, but RHCP would have to be mine, Smith Flea and Frusciante, all amazing musicians, Anthony was unique.
i think this song is about realizing that you're not living your life the way you wanted to and deciding to do something about it.
This song reminds me of my friend Jeremy. A month ago, today, he was drinkning and driving with three other guys in his explorer when he tried a dumb stunt that flipped the rig and killed his best friend in the passenger seat. He is learning a hard lesson, and although all eyes are on him no-one seems to realize that it could have been them.
"And oh as I fade away, they'll all look at me and say, and they'll say, Hey look at him! I'll never live that way. But that's okay they're just afraid to change."
Tonight Jeremy sits in a jail cell facing his mistakes and changing. Please don't make the same mistake. Don't drink and drive. R.I.P. Rob
@Aleah how is your friend doing?
my favorite and iv got the uk singel on vinly hahahaha you motherfuckers
This is one song that definitely shaped the way I think..It will remain in my top 10 for ever...I think the lyrics are pretty obvious...you know, stay positive, keep dreamin, when life's sucky, do something and change.
It's also technically amazing...the solo's, banjo etc
without dreams and hope what do you really have. shannon says it perfectly in this song, we should all be striving for something better or bettering ourselves no matter what others may think. we are the masters of or own happiness whatever that may be and should always remember that life is worth living no matter what ails you. i dig the way shannon can convey his misery and desires of happiness on paper there will never be another like him. RIP shannon.
oh wow...
i feel like shannon wanted to change his life and felt like he couldn't but yet at the same time he didn't want to change the way he lived...this is such an awesome song and shannon was one of the greatest musicians to ever live...rip forever..."Shannon died because God wanted someone to sing to him." -Shannon's Mother
This song is one of BM's best songs. The lyrics explain the life of one who has made prominent mistakes, and obviously, wants to change. This song is a decent reminder that people can change their lives around. good song.