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.
In 1965 Vietnam seemed like just another foreign war, but it wasn't
It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting
In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was twenty-six
In Vietnam he was nineteen
In inininininin Vietnam he was nineteen
In inininininin Vietnam, he was nineteen
In Vietnam, he was nineteen
N-n-n-n-nineteen
The heaviest fighting of the past two weeks
Continued today twenty-five miles northwest of Saigon
I really wasn't sure what was going on
N-n-n-n-nineteen, nineteen
N-nineteen, nineteen
In Vietnam the combat soldier typically served a twelve-month tour of duty
But was exposed to hostile fire almost every day
N-n-n-n-nineteen
(N-n-n-n-nineteen) nineteen
In Saigon a US military spokesman said today
More than seven hundred enemy troops were killed last week
In that sensitive border area
In all of South Vietnam
The enemy lost a total of two thousand six hundred eighty-nine soldiers
All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen
Destruction of men in their prime
Whose average age was nineteen
D-d-d-d-d-destruction
D-d-d-d-d-destruction
According to a Veteran's Administration study
Half of the Vietnam combat veterans suffered From what psychiatrists call
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Many vets complain of alienation, rage, or guilt
Some succumb to suicidal thoughts
Eight to ten years after coming home
Almost eight-hundred-thousand men
Are still fighting the Vietnam War
None of them received a hero's welcome
Nineteen
S-S-S-S-Saigon
Nineteen, n-n-n-n-n-ninteen
N-n-n-n-n-ninteen
Nineteen n-n-n-n-n-ninteen
N-n-n-n-n-ninteen, nineteen
(Vietnam, S-S-S-S-Saigon)
Purple heart, Saigon
(I wasn't really sure what was going on)
It was different in many ways, as so were those that did the fighting
In World War II the average age of the combat soldier was twenty-six
In Vietnam he was nineteen
In inininininin Vietnam he was nineteen
In inininininin Vietnam, he was nineteen
In Vietnam, he was nineteen
N-n-n-n-nineteen
The heaviest fighting of the past two weeks
Continued today twenty-five miles northwest of Saigon
I really wasn't sure what was going on
N-n-n-n-nineteen, nineteen
N-nineteen, nineteen
In Vietnam the combat soldier typically served a twelve-month tour of duty
But was exposed to hostile fire almost every day
N-n-n-n-nineteen
(N-n-n-n-nineteen) nineteen
In Saigon a US military spokesman said today
More than seven hundred enemy troops were killed last week
In that sensitive border area
In all of South Vietnam
The enemy lost a total of two thousand six hundred eighty-nine soldiers
All those who remember the war
They won't forget what they've seen
Destruction of men in their prime
Whose average age was nineteen
D-d-d-d-d-destruction
D-d-d-d-d-destruction
According to a Veteran's Administration study
Half of the Vietnam combat veterans suffered From what psychiatrists call
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Many vets complain of alienation, rage, or guilt
Some succumb to suicidal thoughts
Eight to ten years after coming home
Almost eight-hundred-thousand men
Are still fighting the Vietnam War
None of them received a hero's welcome
Nineteen
S-S-S-S-Saigon
Nineteen, n-n-n-n-n-ninteen
N-n-n-n-n-ninteen
Nineteen n-n-n-n-n-ninteen
N-n-n-n-n-ninteen, nineteen
(Vietnam, S-S-S-S-Saigon)
Purple heart, Saigon
(I wasn't really sure what was going on)
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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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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Just have to add that the unconventionality of the song makes it even more hard-hitting. It really creates an atmosphere that tells the story. I just wish it hadn't have had to be written, and I really wish the vets of recent wars didn't have to go through the same things. When will the old guys in the governments all over the world stop making the young guys suffer for their belligerent attitudes?
The number 19 refers to the average age of the soldiers killed in Vietnam.
It's obviously about the bad effects of war, in this case, the Vietnam War..another classic Paul Hardcastle song.
Bueno
...No. I hardly think you can call a song "a perpetuation of imperialism" purely because it looks at the problems faced by the western army. He only chose to attack this one facet of the war, it doesn't necessarily mean he thought everything else about it was fine.
such a good song. so many version, so great. i really like the german mix as well.
song is very touching and deep.
NONE OF THEM RECIEVED A HEROES WELCOME NONE OF THEM NONE OF THEM!!!!
Obviously you never have had to point an M-16 at anyone... lately.
Interestingly, while the song denounces the war it's still from a very western viewpoint, which is arguably a perpetuation of imperialism.
THIS SONG IS ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!! we watched it in history. they like to... rub the point in your face a little? nnninininineteen, nineteen
This song is hilarious? It's saying that the average age of soldiers that died in Vietman was 19. How in the hell is that hilarious? It's incredibly sad. These young men were drafted into war and killed when their lives had barely begun. <br /> <br /> You must be either be heartless or completely clueless. I really hope it's the latter.