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.
Sometimes we laugh like children
Go running holding hands
I never felt like this before,
I never will again
Sometimes we cry like babies
I hold you to my heart.
I just can't stand to see you sad,
It tears me all apart
And we're so afraid and it's such a shame,
There is no reason we should doubt it.
The things we want to say we've never said!
And we look away and it's all OK and
Never really talk about it
It's a shame the way we dance along the edge
Dance along the edge.
We always seem so careful,
We're always so unsure.
Our past mistakes they make us shaky, eyes on the door.
When do we stop searching
For what we're searching for?
Then when it comes, we question love and try for more!
And we're happy here, but we live in fear
We've seen a lot of temples crumble.
Some of flesh and blood from love under glass.
Will we come undone? Will we turn and run?
And will we know it when we find it?
It's a game the way we dance along the edge.
And we'll walk the line and we'll do our time
For just as long as we've been given,
And pretend that we don't hear the things they've said.
Can we promise love? Is it all too much
And do our old souls still believe it?
It's insane the way we dance along the edge.
Go running holding hands
I never felt like this before,
I never will again
Sometimes we cry like babies
I hold you to my heart.
I just can't stand to see you sad,
It tears me all apart
And we're so afraid and it's such a shame,
There is no reason we should doubt it.
The things we want to say we've never said!
And we look away and it's all OK and
Never really talk about it
It's a shame the way we dance along the edge
Dance along the edge.
We always seem so careful,
We're always so unsure.
Our past mistakes they make us shaky, eyes on the door.
When do we stop searching
For what we're searching for?
Then when it comes, we question love and try for more!
And we're happy here, but we live in fear
We've seen a lot of temples crumble.
Some of flesh and blood from love under glass.
Will we come undone? Will we turn and run?
And will we know it when we find it?
It's a game the way we dance along the edge.
And we'll walk the line and we'll do our time
For just as long as we've been given,
And pretend that we don't hear the things they've said.
Can we promise love? Is it all too much
And do our old souls still believe it?
It's insane the way we dance along the edge.
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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 is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
"We always seem so careful. We're always so unsure. Our past mistakes they make us shakey...eyes on the door. When do we stop searching For what we're searching for? Then when it comes, we question love and try for more!"
Truer words were never spoken. :-)
Fear of love, fear of being hurt because of past relationships, losing the ability to recognize love when it's given to you because you're so hellbent on finding its flaws or anticipating that next blow...
Written by a woman that's been around the block or two, methinks, and is tired of the "game" we play.
The story of my life, if you will. Two people in a relationship that even they aren't sure where it's going. They know they're having a good time but they're afraid of where it might go, having seen other people meet their fate which turned out to be an unpleasant one. Yet still they keep trying because they love eachother even if they're uncertain about certain things.
In addition to the above, the verse about temples crumbling is a reminder that we all live in a temporary mortal coil that could, at any moment, could expire and we die. Part of the fear is wanting a love that lasts, but knowing that life is but temporary.