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.
Sleep with all the lights on
You're not so happy
You're not secure
And you're dying to look cute
In your blue jeans
But you're plastic just like everyone
Just like everyone
And that face you paint is pressed
Impressing most of us as permanent
And I'd like to see you undone
College night will draw the crowds
Dorms unload and you're heading out
Here is your moment to shine
Making up a history
It's nothing from the life you lead
But man, will they buy all your lines
Sleep with all the sheets off
Bearing your mattress
Bearing your soul
And you're dying to look smooth
With your tattoos
But you're searching just like everyone
You could be anyone
And those friends you have are the best
Impressing most of us as permanent
But I'd like to see you undone
Youth's the most unfaithful mistress
Still we forge ahead to miss her
Rushing our moment to shine
Making up a history
It's nothing from the life you lead
But man, will they buy all your lines
We're not twenty-one
But the sooner we are
The sooner the fun will begin
So get out your fake eyelashes
And fake I.D.s
And real disasters ensue
It's cool to take these chances
It's cool to fake romances
And grow up fast
And grow up fast
And grow up fast
And grow up fast
You're not so happy
You're not secure
And you're dying to look cute
In your blue jeans
But you're plastic just like everyone
Just like everyone
And that face you paint is pressed
Impressing most of us as permanent
And I'd like to see you undone
College night will draw the crowds
Dorms unload and you're heading out
Here is your moment to shine
Making up a history
It's nothing from the life you lead
But man, will they buy all your lines
Sleep with all the sheets off
Bearing your mattress
Bearing your soul
And you're dying to look smooth
With your tattoos
But you're searching just like everyone
You could be anyone
And those friends you have are the best
Impressing most of us as permanent
But I'd like to see you undone
Youth's the most unfaithful mistress
Still we forge ahead to miss her
Rushing our moment to shine
Making up a history
It's nothing from the life you lead
But man, will they buy all your lines
We're not twenty-one
But the sooner we are
The sooner the fun will begin
So get out your fake eyelashes
And fake I.D.s
And real disasters ensue
It's cool to take these chances
It's cool to fake romances
And grow up fast
And grow up fast
And grow up fast
And grow up fast
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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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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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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Wow...I never seen lyrics to this song before. Now that I read them...it's a lot different from what I thought they were. Meh.