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 a dog, a dirty flying dog.
I drink Campari with marinated wild hog.
I've no sense, I like electric fence.
I put barbed wire in my pants and do a Celtic dance.
But when I can, I'm a giving man.
I'll flip you out the fire and back up into the frying pan.
And if you're down looking like you're gonna drown.
Of all your friends I'm the one who's most apt to stick around.
I'm a drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this dirty drowning man.
You're so fine, so bright and shiny fine.
And I'm so proud to say that you in fact are a friend of mine.
And doubly pleased with crooked wobbly knees.
I dive on in and backstroke right across these seas of cheese.
But on the times when I'm not such a giving man.
Please flip me out of the fire and backup into the frying pan.
And if you're down looking like you're gonna drown.
Of all your friends I'm the one who's most apt to stick around.
I'm a drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this dirty drowning man.
I drink Campari with marinated wild hog.
I've no sense, I like electric fence.
I put barbed wire in my pants and do a Celtic dance.
But when I can, I'm a giving man.
I'll flip you out the fire and back up into the frying pan.
And if you're down looking like you're gonna drown.
Of all your friends I'm the one who's most apt to stick around.
I'm a drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this dirty drowning man.
You're so fine, so bright and shiny fine.
And I'm so proud to say that you in fact are a friend of mine.
And doubly pleased with crooked wobbly knees.
I dive on in and backstroke right across these seas of cheese.
But on the times when I'm not such a giving man.
Please flip me out of the fire and backup into the frying pan.
And if you're down looking like you're gonna drown.
Of all your friends I'm the one who's most apt to stick around.
I'm a drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this drowning man.
Who will save this dirty drowning man.
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
As well as the context already provided, I also got the impression that this person who is deemed as "dirty" through his over-the-top actions is actually intending to pushing the boundaries between what is deemed as "appropriate" or "normal" behaviour, so there is a double-layer of questioning here as to the way people behave within themselves, and amongst others. The dirty drowning man is the eiptomy of "nakedness" and "truth" - these pretentious bastards who claim to be his friend (when it suits them) deem him as "crude" and "immature" by their standards, but he is actually the most reliable and moral one out there.