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.
Hit the road in wander mode
Inquire along the way
Savior faire in full despair
While living day to day
My heart is not a cold cauldron of proof
I don't ever need to prove myself to you
No!
Looking back I'm off the tracks
More times than I recognize
Mistakes are another opportunity to refine
My heart is not a cold cauldron of proof
I don't ever need to prove myself to you
There's no such thing as hell
But you can make it if you try
There might come a day
When emotion can be quantified
But as of now there's no proof necessary
No proof necessary
No proof necessary
No proof necessary
It's only in your mind
Inquire along the way
Savior faire in full despair
While living day to day
My heart is not a cold cauldron of proof
I don't ever need to prove myself to you
No!
Looking back I'm off the tracks
More times than I recognize
Mistakes are another opportunity to refine
My heart is not a cold cauldron of proof
I don't ever need to prove myself to you
There's no such thing as hell
But you can make it if you try
There might come a day
When emotion can be quantified
But as of now there's no proof necessary
No proof necessary
No proof necessary
No proof necessary
It's only in your mind
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
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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”
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
This song is an anthem for all who have been degraded for not having proof of no diety.
this is one of my favorite songs off their new cd..i really like "There's no such thing as hell But you can make it if you try There might come a day When emotion can be quantified But as of now there's no proof necessary"
Those lines about there being no such thing as hell are my favorite lines of the song as well. Bad Religion is a truly great band.
I think it is about people who think punks are stupid and are just causing trouble, and we don't have to prove ourselves to them.
I think the "there's no such thing as hell, but you can make it if you try" part is referring to the pessimism in religion. People don't have to believe in Hell and Satan and evil, but for some reason they do.
the no such thing as hell part hints at the religious right who are making the world more like hell
so, hell doesn't exist(because bad religion are atheists) but you can make it if you try (because if earth is turned into a living hell by religious nuts, there will then be a hell)
yea reading it over i think it pertains to religion
and the desperation for validating it... and its futile and theres no need
especially to the athiest..
the cold couldren of proof... I think is a metaphor for some peoples religious beliefs and how he's saying thats not what his heart is..
the song pertains to other things as well but i think that might be what he's trying to say..