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'm home again, I won the war, and now I am behind
Your door. I tried so hard to obey the law, and see the
Meaning of this all. Remember me? Before the war.
I'm the man who lived next door. Long ago
As you can see, when you look at me, I'm pieces of
What I used to be. It's easier when you don't see me
Standing on my own two feet. I'm taller when I sit
Here still, you ask are all my dreams fulfilled.
They made me a heart of steal, the kind them bullets
Cannot see, yeah.
Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me
The light is green, my slate is clean, new life to fill
The hole in me. I had no name, last December, Christmas
Eve I can't remember. I was in a constant pain, I saw
Your shadow in the rain. I painted all your pigeons red,
I wish I had stayed home instead, yeah.
Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me
Are you gonna leave me now, when it is all over
Are you gonna leave me, is my world now over
Raising from the place I've been, and trying to keep
My home base clean. Now I'm here and won't go back believe.
I fall asleep and dream a dream, I'm floating in a
Silent scream. No-one placing blame on me
But nothing's what it seems to be, yeah.
Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me.
Your door. I tried so hard to obey the law, and see the
Meaning of this all. Remember me? Before the war.
I'm the man who lived next door. Long ago
As you can see, when you look at me, I'm pieces of
What I used to be. It's easier when you don't see me
Standing on my own two feet. I'm taller when I sit
Here still, you ask are all my dreams fulfilled.
They made me a heart of steal, the kind them bullets
Cannot see, yeah.
Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me
The light is green, my slate is clean, new life to fill
The hole in me. I had no name, last December, Christmas
Eve I can't remember. I was in a constant pain, I saw
Your shadow in the rain. I painted all your pigeons red,
I wish I had stayed home instead, yeah.
Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me
Are you gonna leave me now, when it is all over
Are you gonna leave me, is my world now over
Raising from the place I've been, and trying to keep
My home base clean. Now I'm here and won't go back believe.
I fall asleep and dream a dream, I'm floating in a
Silent scream. No-one placing blame on me
But nothing's what it seems to be, yeah.
Nothing's what it seems to be,
I'm a replica, I'm a replica
Empty shell inside of me
I'm not myself, I'm a replica of me.
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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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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When We Were Young
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
The war thing is the obvious answer, but a logical one at that. I don't think it's necessary to delve deeper into the song. Take it how you want to, be it war or war as a metaphor. I'll go with war myself, but either way, it's a bloody good song.