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.
La la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, la la la.
Stand and fight we do consider
Reminded of an inner pact between us
That's seen as we go
And ride there
In motion
To fields in debts of honor defending
Stand the marchers soaring talons
Peaceful lives will not deliver freedom
Fighting we know,
Destroy oppression
The point to reaction
As leaders look to you attacking
Choose and renounce throwing chains to the floor
Kill or be killing faster sins correct the flow
Casting giant shadows off vast
Penetrating force
To alter via the war that seen
As frictions spans the spirits' wrath ascending to redeem
Wars that shout in screams of anguish
Power spent passion bespoils our soul receiver
Surely we know.
In glory we rise to offer,
Create our freedom, a word, we utter a word.
Words cause our banner, victorious our day
Will silence be promised as violence display
The curse increased we fight the pow'are and live by it by day
Our Gods awake in thunderous roars and guide
The leader's hands in paths of glory to the cause
Listen should we fight forever
Knowing as we do know
Fear destroys?
Listen should we leave our children?
Listen our lives stare in silence
Help us now
Listen your friends have been broken
They tell us of your poison
Now we know
Kill them give them as they give us
Slay them burn their children's laughter
On to Hell
The fist will run
Grasp metal to gun
The spirit sings in crashing tones we gain the battle drum
Our cries will shrill the air will moan and crash into the dawn
The pen won't stay the demon's wings, the hour approaches
Pounding out the Devil's sermon
Soon oh soon the light
Pass within and soothe this endless night
And wait here for you
Our reason to be here
Soon oh soon the time
All we move to gain will reach and calm
Our heart is open
Our reason to be here
Long ago, set into rhyme
Soon oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here
Soon oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here
La la la la la la la, la la la.
Stand and fight we do consider
Reminded of an inner pact between us
That's seen as we go
And ride there
In motion
To fields in debts of honor defending
Stand the marchers soaring talons
Peaceful lives will not deliver freedom
Fighting we know,
Destroy oppression
The point to reaction
As leaders look to you attacking
Choose and renounce throwing chains to the floor
Kill or be killing faster sins correct the flow
Casting giant shadows off vast
Penetrating force
To alter via the war that seen
As frictions spans the spirits' wrath ascending to redeem
Wars that shout in screams of anguish
Power spent passion bespoils our soul receiver
Surely we know.
In glory we rise to offer,
Create our freedom, a word, we utter a word.
Words cause our banner, victorious our day
Will silence be promised as violence display
The curse increased we fight the pow'are and live by it by day
Our Gods awake in thunderous roars and guide
The leader's hands in paths of glory to the cause
Listen should we fight forever
Knowing as we do know
Fear destroys?
Listen should we leave our children?
Listen our lives stare in silence
Help us now
Listen your friends have been broken
They tell us of your poison
Now we know
Kill them give them as they give us
Slay them burn their children's laughter
On to Hell
The fist will run
Grasp metal to gun
The spirit sings in crashing tones we gain the battle drum
Our cries will shrill the air will moan and crash into the dawn
The pen won't stay the demon's wings, the hour approaches
Pounding out the Devil's sermon
Soon oh soon the light
Pass within and soothe this endless night
And wait here for you
Our reason to be here
Soon oh soon the time
All we move to gain will reach and calm
Our heart is open
Our reason to be here
Long ago, set into rhyme
Soon oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here
Soon oh soon the light
Ours to shape for all time, ours the right
The sun will lead us
Our reason to be here
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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.
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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
To start off, I am going to come right out and claim that this is Jon Anderson's best lyrical work. Ever. It almost perfectly sums up war, but does so much more. It compresses all the emotions that go along with war, all the thoughts that must be going through a warrior's head as he heads out to battle, all into one song, yet without losing a single drop of the power these feelings have. As a poet myself, I will say that this is the type of poetry I like to read, and the type that I sometimes wish I could write. And I've only talked about the lyrics so far. Anderson's vocals are heavenly here. He really establishes his place as one of prog's best singers. But then there's the music. They play faster than even the Mahavishnu Orchestra, it seems, and every note fits perfectly. There are some slower parts that are truly beautiful, and there are some fast parts that are just plain impressive, and sound good as well. In short, this is a masterpiece of a song. Utterly, 100% a masterpiece. It's not the best song I've heard, nor even probably in my top 5, but it certainly is in my top 15, and probably my top 10. For those who were wondering, Close to the Edge comes nowhere close to making either of those lists. Gates of Delirium is simply Yes's best song
@inpraiseoffolly : Hello, could I read your poems please? I'm asking you that because you seem to understand quite accurately the meaning of "Gates of Delirium", which is actually based upon "WAR & PEACE" (Tolstoi)