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.
My heart is always on the line
I've travelled all kinds of places
The song is always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
Got forty-fives to play at night
Got books to spend with every weekend
The story's always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
Fuel for fire, a bitter ending
Til a sweet, sweet death
Fuel for fire, the sour note inside
An orchestra wail
Fuel for fire, uncomfortable poses
Between famous last words
Fuel for fire, a missing person
In a small, small world
I dug beneath the wall of sound
I ended up back where I started
The song is always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
And so my heart is always on the line
I've travelled all kinds of places
The story's always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
I've travelled all kinds of places
The song is always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
Got forty-fives to play at night
Got books to spend with every weekend
The story's always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
Fuel for fire, a bitter ending
Til a sweet, sweet death
Fuel for fire, the sour note inside
An orchestra wail
Fuel for fire, uncomfortable poses
Between famous last words
Fuel for fire, a missing person
In a small, small world
I dug beneath the wall of sound
I ended up back where I started
The song is always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
And so my heart is always on the line
I've travelled all kinds of places
The story's always the same
Got lonesome fuel for fire
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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.
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
i think he sings "to a sweet, sweet day"
anyhoo... this has to be one of the best songs by matt. i feel bad for all the people who will never get exposed to this guys music. so.fucking.good
this is a good song to fall asleep to. i'm not sure if he says day or death there. i like how his voice is the real centerpiece in this song. beautifuuuuul
i believe it is "uncomfortable pauses" not "uncomfortable poses"
agree.
"I dug beneath the wall of sound" is clearly a phil spector reference, who influenced the beach boys, and they in turn influenced M. Ward. Granted Phil Spector probably did too, since he does have a very deep sound...
I hate that there are only 4 other comments about this song...
It's about a person who's home is unstable and they do a lot of moving. This puts their heart on the line meaning on the risk of getting hurt because their path in life is unstable. I feel like "lonesome fuel for fire" is referring to their lonesomeness and that is how they fuel their love when they find someone. Someone who is a loner because of their life and so they spend their weekends at home instead of partying or socializing.
I relate to this song because I'm very much a loner right now because I've moved back home after college and I literally just sleep next to my books. I paint or make music or read... and the times I had company, it was fueled by my lonesomeness....
In a May 2018 concert in Barcelona M Ward said about the song that He was influenced as a youngster by the missing children pictures on milk cartons and the Small World ride on Disneyland CA where he grew up. It seemed strange to him that the world is small and still children go missing. Years later he wrote the song with the line "missing persons in a small, small world"