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.
We got firecrackers and red balloons
And a street orchestra that plays a tune
Confetti's flying in the air
A lot of people are gathered here
We got placards posters & stickers to
We got reggae music by Yabby You
We got redflags, blackflags and flag with stars
We got slogans painted on our guitars
We speak about freedom, speak about freedom
We speak about war, speak about war
We got a vision, baby, we got a vision
That we just can't ignore
It sure rains on our parade
But the wind will change the clouds will fade
A change will come eventually
So says Karl Marx and history
We got vegetarian gumbo stew
The Rockin' Pneumonia and the Punk Rock Flu
We got Iko Iko and Stagger Lee
And the junco partner's leaning against a tree
We got Emma Goldman and Chomsky too
We got things to say we got stuff to do
We got all kinds of freedom fighters gathered here
We got our friend in the corner over there drinking beer
We speak about the future, speak about the future
We speak about the past, speak about the past
We speak about a new world order, a new world order, a new world order
And we hope that we can get there fast, a new world order
It sure rains on our parade
But the wind will change the clouds will fade
A change will come eventually
So says Karl Marx and history
Karl Marx and history [Repeat x 6]
So says Karl Marx and history.
And a street orchestra that plays a tune
Confetti's flying in the air
A lot of people are gathered here
We got placards posters & stickers to
We got reggae music by Yabby You
We got redflags, blackflags and flag with stars
We got slogans painted on our guitars
We speak about freedom, speak about freedom
We speak about war, speak about war
We got a vision, baby, we got a vision
That we just can't ignore
It sure rains on our parade
But the wind will change the clouds will fade
A change will come eventually
So says Karl Marx and history
We got vegetarian gumbo stew
The Rockin' Pneumonia and the Punk Rock Flu
We got Iko Iko and Stagger Lee
And the junco partner's leaning against a tree
We got Emma Goldman and Chomsky too
We got things to say we got stuff to do
We got all kinds of freedom fighters gathered here
We got our friend in the corner over there drinking beer
We speak about the future, speak about the future
We speak about the past, speak about the past
We speak about a new world order, a new world order, a new world order
And we hope that we can get there fast, a new world order
It sure rains on our parade
But the wind will change the clouds will fade
A change will come eventually
So says Karl Marx and history
Karl Marx and history [Repeat x 6]
So says Karl Marx and history.
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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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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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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.
this song is awesome, randy is a great band.