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.
Always feeling so uncomfortable, and the situation tends to be predictable
Hope slips through trained fingers, It's how it's always been
I can't seem to tear myself away, been living in the past with my mistakes
But I always find a way to numb the tension, bury thoughts alone
Under the skin to hide the damage done to my defense
Senses dulled then cracked, I concede that maybe
I'm unsure of just what it takes to frustrate and dismantle apathy
Rain, wash away the temptations before I let them get the best of me
Yesterday's accomplishments, replaced by tomorrow's burdens
A never ending cycle begins, so diseased and looking for a means to an end
I found nothings solid anymore, all that's left is try and I confess that maybe
I'm unsure of just what it takes to frustrate and dismantle apathy
Rain, wash away the temptations before I let them get the best of me
Designed and developed inside of my lungs, on the tip of my fucking tongue
But no one ever gets the point
That life is always about to fall to pieces, just something beautiful that's about to get wrecked
But no one wants to feel at all
Because we've made ourselves so numb, but I want to feel something
I won't ever live that way again, somewhere along the line I lost feeling
And I lost control, But then I lost strength and completely lost hope
When our lives are consumed by society's fumes,
We punch our time clocks and watch the ignorance bloom
And how strange that we all feel the same, and how strange that no one dares complain
See I'm always turning backwards and forwards again retracing my steps to the bitter cold end
Rewind the tape and let me see exactly where it went wrong, indulge in our pasts strong
And how strange that we all feel the same, and how strange that no one complains
Designed and developed inside of my lungs on the tip of my fucking tongue
But no one ever gets the point
That life is always about to fall to pieces something beautiful that's about to get wrecked
But no one wants to feel at all
Because we made ourselves so numb, don't you want to feel something
Hope slips through trained fingers, It's how it's always been
I can't seem to tear myself away, been living in the past with my mistakes
But I always find a way to numb the tension, bury thoughts alone
Under the skin to hide the damage done to my defense
Senses dulled then cracked, I concede that maybe
I'm unsure of just what it takes to frustrate and dismantle apathy
Rain, wash away the temptations before I let them get the best of me
Yesterday's accomplishments, replaced by tomorrow's burdens
A never ending cycle begins, so diseased and looking for a means to an end
I found nothings solid anymore, all that's left is try and I confess that maybe
I'm unsure of just what it takes to frustrate and dismantle apathy
Rain, wash away the temptations before I let them get the best of me
Designed and developed inside of my lungs, on the tip of my fucking tongue
But no one ever gets the point
That life is always about to fall to pieces, just something beautiful that's about to get wrecked
But no one wants to feel at all
Because we've made ourselves so numb, but I want to feel something
I won't ever live that way again, somewhere along the line I lost feeling
And I lost control, But then I lost strength and completely lost hope
When our lives are consumed by society's fumes,
We punch our time clocks and watch the ignorance bloom
And how strange that we all feel the same, and how strange that no one dares complain
See I'm always turning backwards and forwards again retracing my steps to the bitter cold end
Rewind the tape and let me see exactly where it went wrong, indulge in our pasts strong
And how strange that we all feel the same, and how strange that no one complains
Designed and developed inside of my lungs on the tip of my fucking tongue
But no one ever gets the point
That life is always about to fall to pieces something beautiful that's about to get wrecked
But no one wants to feel at all
Because we made ourselves so numb, don't you want to feel something
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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.
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I think this song is a lament on modern society and how it has become cold, un-feeling and sterile. The lead singer wants his life to be an experience but others are different and they don't feel the same. They feel 'numb' to life and just let it pass by without taking time to care fo themselves and others.