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.
Sharp and open, leave me alone
And sleeping less every night
As the days become heavier and weighted
Waiting in the cold light
A noise, a scream tears my clothes as the figurines tighten
With spiders inside them
And dust on the lips of a vision of hell
I laughed in the mirror for the first time in a year
A hundred other words blind me with your purity
Like an old painted doll in the throes of dance
I think about tomorrow, please let me sleep
As I slip down the window, freshly squashed fly
You mean nothing
You mean nothing
I can lose myself in Chinese art and American girls
All the time, lose me in the dark
Please do it right, run into the night
I will lose myself tomorrow
Crimson pain, my heart explodes
My memory in a fire
And someone will listen
At least for a short while
(I can never say no)
I can never say no to anyone but you
Too many secrets, too many lies
Writhing with hatred
Too many secrets, please make it good tonight
But the same image haunts me
In sequence, in despair of time
I will never be clean again
I touched her eyes
Pressed my stained face
I will never be clean again
Touched her eyes
Pressed my stained face
I will never be clean again
I will never be clean again
I will never be clean again
I will never be clean again
And sleeping less every night
As the days become heavier and weighted
Waiting in the cold light
A noise, a scream tears my clothes as the figurines tighten
With spiders inside them
And dust on the lips of a vision of hell
I laughed in the mirror for the first time in a year
A hundred other words blind me with your purity
Like an old painted doll in the throes of dance
I think about tomorrow, please let me sleep
As I slip down the window, freshly squashed fly
You mean nothing
You mean nothing
I can lose myself in Chinese art and American girls
All the time, lose me in the dark
Please do it right, run into the night
I will lose myself tomorrow
Crimson pain, my heart explodes
My memory in a fire
And someone will listen
At least for a short while
(I can never say no)
I can never say no to anyone but you
Too many secrets, too many lies
Writhing with hatred
Too many secrets, please make it good tonight
But the same image haunts me
In sequence, in despair of time
I will never be clean again
I touched her eyes
Pressed my stained face
I will never be clean again
Touched her eyes
Pressed my stained face
I will never be clean again
I will never be clean again
I will never be clean again
I will never be clean again
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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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
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”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I agree with frig neutorn. This song is about the guilt of a breakup, but particularly about the breakup of his first love. The lyrics indicate that it is written about a year after the breakup "...for the first time in a year".
"You mean nothing..." - the last fight
"I can lose myself in Chinese art or American girls" - Trying to distract himself from the depression/pain with other pleasures.
"The same image haunts me in sequence..." - The memory of this first relationship's beginning and it's eventual bitter end haunts him every time he feels he's becoming close to someone else.
"I will never be clean again" - He has lost the innocence he had with this first love. All other relationships are now tainted by the thought that they may also not be permanent, that they my also end. He will never have that innocence again.