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.
He always holds on to his girlfriend
That's where he likes to be
He like to wear the ball
and the chain on his neck
A false sense of security
And when he goes he goes with a smile,
And when he goes he goes with a smile,
And when he goes he goes with a smile,
And when he goes he goes with a smile
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la la la
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get high
and get whatever you want to
Ma-na-na, Ma-na-na,
ma-na-na, ma-na-na
Ma-na-na, ma-na-na,
ma-na-na, ma-na-na
He used to be a closet biker they say
A 1957 BSA
He used to collect writing paper
They wonder wonder wonder
wonder wonder of
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la
Isn't it dandy a-a-a-a
Ra la la la la
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la la la
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get high
and get whatever you want to
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get laid
and get whatever you want to
The world is your oyster
The world is yours
It's yours, it's yours,
it's yours, it's yours
It's yours, it's yours,
it's yours, it's yours
Gimme the chastity, gimme the sanctity,
Gimme the wit, o-oh x5
That's where he likes to be
He like to wear the ball
and the chain on his neck
A false sense of security
And when he goes he goes with a smile,
And when he goes he goes with a smile,
And when he goes he goes with a smile,
And when he goes he goes with a smile
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la la la
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get high
and get whatever you want to
Ma-na-na, Ma-na-na,
ma-na-na, ma-na-na
Ma-na-na, ma-na-na,
ma-na-na, ma-na-na
He used to be a closet biker they say
A 1957 BSA
He used to collect writing paper
They wonder wonder wonder
wonder wonder of
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la
Isn't it dandy a-a-a-a
Ra la la la la
Desperate Andy a-a-a-a
Re la la la la la la la la
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get high
and get whatever you want to
The world is your oyster now
You can do as you want to do
The world is your oyster now
So go out and get laid
and get whatever you want to
The world is your oyster
The world is yours
It's yours, it's yours,
it's yours, it's yours
It's yours, it's yours,
it's yours, it's yours
Gimme the chastity, gimme the sanctity,
Gimme the wit, o-oh x5
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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 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.
Are there really only 2 other comments on this song? Dolores asks a fair question - 'Are you listening'.