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.
Where the dragonflies float on
And little kids go chasing them
Till night time comes along
And the prophet of a discontent is gone
And the devil smiles as he pulls the wings off
Of the one who wrote and forgot the song
Well it's not my fault what you did
And it's not my fault we're young and stupid
Still I'm stuck in this nightmare joke
No company
My strings are broke
So I go out looking for the right one
A nice fat girl with a tight one
'Cause I, I, oh I always laugh when I'm hurting
When I was punk I was way more punk than you
What happened to our little tribe
On the tombstone it inscribed
And I, I didn't know my friends would leave me too
When I sold out I thought my lies out through and through
'Cause I, I, oh I always laugh when I'm hurting
Is anyone sick of being nervous and annoyed
Don't play with pins to fill the void
And I'm paranoid
And the legacy we've become
Into the high rockets, see the shotgun
To the burger bleeding on the plate
I'm holding out for a different fate
Yeah, no one's fooling anyone
Everyone struggles inside
And everyone has lied
Fooling anyone
No one is fooling anyone
Yeah, no one is fooling anyone
No one is fooling anyone.
Turn the music up louder
Spit out the taste of gun powder, and
We'll have a bonfire
Burn it all down, let's take it higher
I need a woman who makes my soul feel thick
She says love, I won't feel sick
When you say "how ya doing?"
We'll say, we are fine
Yeah, we're fine
I am fine.
Cause I, I, oh I always laugh when I'm hurting.
Oh I...
And little kids go chasing them
Till night time comes along
And the prophet of a discontent is gone
And the devil smiles as he pulls the wings off
Of the one who wrote and forgot the song
Well it's not my fault what you did
And it's not my fault we're young and stupid
Still I'm stuck in this nightmare joke
No company
My strings are broke
So I go out looking for the right one
A nice fat girl with a tight one
'Cause I, I, oh I always laugh when I'm hurting
When I was punk I was way more punk than you
What happened to our little tribe
On the tombstone it inscribed
And I, I didn't know my friends would leave me too
When I sold out I thought my lies out through and through
'Cause I, I, oh I always laugh when I'm hurting
Is anyone sick of being nervous and annoyed
Don't play with pins to fill the void
And I'm paranoid
And the legacy we've become
Into the high rockets, see the shotgun
To the burger bleeding on the plate
I'm holding out for a different fate
Yeah, no one's fooling anyone
Everyone struggles inside
And everyone has lied
Fooling anyone
No one is fooling anyone
Yeah, no one is fooling anyone
No one is fooling anyone.
Turn the music up louder
Spit out the taste of gun powder, and
We'll have a bonfire
Burn it all down, let's take it higher
I need a woman who makes my soul feel thick
She says love, I won't feel sick
When you say "how ya doing?"
We'll say, we are fine
Yeah, we're fine
I am fine.
Cause I, I, oh I always laugh when I'm hurting.
Oh I...
Lyrics submitted by fanatical3ebchic
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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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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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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”
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Sounds like a very melodic song about dealing with your inner demons. I especially enjoyed the beginning with children chasing the dragonflies, always makes me smile. I miss those days, instead now we face demons. Yay! for adulthood