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.
You know what I need when my heart bleeds
I suffer from greed, a longing to feed
On the mercy in you
I can't conceal the way I'm healed
The pleasure I feel when I have to deal
With the mercy in you
I would do it all again
Lose my way and fall again
Just so I could call again
On the mercy in you, the mercy in you
When here in my mind I feel inclined
To wrongly treat you unkind
I have faith I will find
The mercy in you
I would lose my way again
Be led hopelessly astray again
Just so I could pray again
For the mercy in you
When here in my mind I have been blind
Emotionally behind
I have faith I will find
The mercy in you, the mercy in you
The mercy in you, the mercy in you
I suffer from greed, a longing to feed
On the mercy in you
I can't conceal the way I'm healed
The pleasure I feel when I have to deal
With the mercy in you
I would do it all again
Lose my way and fall again
Just so I could call again
On the mercy in you, the mercy in you
When here in my mind I feel inclined
To wrongly treat you unkind
I have faith I will find
The mercy in you
I would lose my way again
Be led hopelessly astray again
Just so I could pray again
For the mercy in you
When here in my mind I have been blind
Emotionally behind
I have faith I will find
The mercy in you, the mercy in you
The mercy in you, the mercy in you
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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.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I usually wouldn't bother adding a comment, but after reading the Christianity oriented sentiments here, I could not contain my need to chime in before the need to vomit became too strong. It would take complete delusion to think that anything written by Martin Gore would be any kind of an endorsement of Christian thought. If you can't believe me, please listen to Blasphemous Rumors, Personal Jesus, Breathe, and John the Revelator, to get the party started, and then tell me how this is about the Lord Jesus Christ. The song is about the emotional catharsis gained from being shown mercy by another person. A powerful feeling gained, when punishment or rejection is expected (and perhaps even deliberately provoked) but is then replaced with something far more tender and compassionate. And honestly, I would not think most people, especially emotionally balanced individuals, would understand what is being described. It is a complicated, strange, and nearly addictive proclivity with its roots somewhere deep in unusual psycho-sexual relationship dynamics. It's part of what I've always admired about Martin Gore; he writes songs that give voice to some truly offbeat tendencies that most people would find hard to discuss.