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.
you tell me that you wanna go to heaven
but you run around acting
like you're gonna live forever
when you tell me that you're going through hell
but you're puttin' others through it
and you say that i smell
like i haven't had a shower in 23 days
like an unbalanced beer can
two minutes too late
a look like a stale face
from a fresh grave
with a chip on my shoulder
and an eye full of rage
can you taste that beer
with your back to the bar
can you smell a cigarette
without letting down your guard
ten cans
4 a.m. friends
the sad thing is
that you've always been like this
moaning in a bed shaped like a hearse
believe the lies that you tell yourself
you tell me that my problem is thinking
i can chase it away
with a problem like drinking
you tell me you don't wanna get old
but you've got a party on the line
and a grave on hold
like a drunk operator
like a game of roulette
like a martini balanced
on a whiffle ball bat
when a hard wind blows
it's gonna fall down
when the wind blows
there'll be broken glass all around
can you taste that beer
with your back to the bar
can you smell a cigarette
without letting down your guard
ten cans
4 a.m. friends
the sad thing is
that you've always been like this
moaning in a bed shaped like a hearse
believe the lies that you tell yourself
things could never get worse
can you taste that beer
with your back to the bar
can you smell a cigarette
with a smell so far away
ten cans
4 a.m. friends
the sad thing is
that you've always been like this
like a bright shiny apple with a worm inside
believe the lies that you tell yourself
this is the only way to die
but you run around acting
like you're gonna live forever
when you tell me that you're going through hell
but you're puttin' others through it
and you say that i smell
like i haven't had a shower in 23 days
like an unbalanced beer can
two minutes too late
a look like a stale face
from a fresh grave
with a chip on my shoulder
and an eye full of rage
can you taste that beer
with your back to the bar
can you smell a cigarette
without letting down your guard
ten cans
4 a.m. friends
the sad thing is
that you've always been like this
moaning in a bed shaped like a hearse
believe the lies that you tell yourself
you tell me that my problem is thinking
i can chase it away
with a problem like drinking
you tell me you don't wanna get old
but you've got a party on the line
and a grave on hold
like a drunk operator
like a game of roulette
like a martini balanced
on a whiffle ball bat
when a hard wind blows
it's gonna fall down
when the wind blows
there'll be broken glass all around
can you taste that beer
with your back to the bar
can you smell a cigarette
without letting down your guard
ten cans
4 a.m. friends
the sad thing is
that you've always been like this
moaning in a bed shaped like a hearse
believe the lies that you tell yourself
things could never get worse
can you taste that beer
with your back to the bar
can you smell a cigarette
with a smell so far away
ten cans
4 a.m. friends
the sad thing is
that you've always been like this
like a bright shiny apple with a worm inside
believe the lies that you tell yourself
this is the only way to die
Lyrics submitted by AllStarMe
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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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
"you tell me that my problem is thinking I can chase it away with a problem like drinking" is one of the all time great lines