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.
Take a long hard look at yourself
How did you end up here
The blood drips like red inverted balloons
Tomorrow is a promise to no-one
If you want, follow me and I'll lead you inside
You don't have to run and hide
Eleanor, Eleanor
I would do anything for another minute with you because
It's not getting easier, it's not getting easier
In a bedroom with no windows or doors
All the happy people are crying
You can't hold a gaze for a second or two
It always ends in total darkness
Eleanor, Eleanor
I would do anything for another minute with you because
It's not getting easier, it's not getting easier
You will be folding stars
You can't ever understand
It's not getting easier, it's not getting easier
It ends in a place with no love only hate
And a mirror reflecting the truth
In your eyes, in your face you can't wash it away
From your cold, cold heart
I hope that you're folding stars
How did you end up here
The blood drips like red inverted balloons
Tomorrow is a promise to no-one
If you want, follow me and I'll lead you inside
You don't have to run and hide
Eleanor, Eleanor
I would do anything for another minute with you because
It's not getting easier, it's not getting easier
In a bedroom with no windows or doors
All the happy people are crying
You can't hold a gaze for a second or two
It always ends in total darkness
Eleanor, Eleanor
I would do anything for another minute with you because
It's not getting easier, it's not getting easier
You will be folding stars
You can't ever understand
It's not getting easier, it's not getting easier
It ends in a place with no love only hate
And a mirror reflecting the truth
In your eyes, in your face you can't wash it away
From your cold, cold heart
I hope that you're folding stars
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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
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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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
What i know is, Simon Niel's mother Eleanor Niel died of cancer...Folding Stars and Machines is about that period and her death...when you no what the song is about it makes you realise how much of a great song it is.
"Take a long hard look at yourself how did you end up here" You can feel that this is Simon talking to himself in disbalief of why his mother is hospital fighting for her life, when perhaps not long ago before being diagnosed everything was perfect.
"the blood drips like red inverted balloons" This will have been an image that has stuck in his head from visiting her at the hospital, while she was recieving chemotherapy/blood transfusion( to help lukemia).
"tomorrow is a promise to no-one" This is such a haunting line, becuase you certainly get the seriousness of disease...and that she might pass away at any moment.
"If you want follow me and i'll lead you inside you dont have to run and hide" I see this as many people are affraid of the hospital, so i think this is him trying encourage his mother to go through with her treatment/operations.
"Eleanor I would do anything for another minute with you because its not getting easier" This is Simon grieving at the death of his mother.
"In a bedroom with no windows or doors all the happy people are crying you can't hold a gaze for a second or two it always ends in total darkness" I think this is a memory of the cancer ward and as Simon looks around the ward he sees other patients family and friends that are visting them, are being happy and optimistic about the treatment, and the doctor tells them that it's terminal, then Simon notices that all the happy people he had just saw are now crying at the news.Or maybe it's the patients that are happy and optimistic then get told the awful news. Simon can't bare to look them in the eye with all the devaststing and heartbreaking news. And in the back of his mind he'll be so scared of his mother not making it through.
Hope you kinda get the picture of what i thought of when hearing the song...it's just my interpretation of the facts i know and how i percieve the lyrics.
I've listened to the song many times and it still gives me major shivers.
Oh and for the last bridge... "It ends in a place with no love only hate and a mirror reflecting the truth in your eyes, in your face you can't wash it away from your cold, cold heart" I see this as Simon giving up, and being angry that his mother has been taking away from him. And he resents the way things has turned out. He had a bad abusive past relationship with his father, which the song Many of Horror" is about. So i'm not sure if they'd resolved their relationship at the passing of his mum.
What makes me happy is that Biffy are now getting the well deserved recognition they have deserved for years when they were the under commercial radar...immense talent!
Peacee :)
Little late, but how do you know she had cancer? As far as I know, all he said in an interview was, she died after a heart surgery which no one expected, because it was an routine surgery.
Many of Horror wasn't written about Simon's relationship with his father, Simon stated in an interview that It was written about his wife and the struggles they went through during their marriage.
Eleanor i would guess was Simon's mum's name? To those that don't know, she dies when the songs were being written Throughout the album there is the theme of death and such, and i would say its his mum's death that brought it all to mind as he wrote, and a couple of songs seem to be just about her. such as this. its really sweet and powerful.
I love Biffy Clyro too much! Simon Neil is like my God. I love their quieter songs like this and Machines. The reasons behind this song and the lyrics are just so emotional and despite earlier comments he does actually sing this live again now as last friday (3rd Dec 2010) he sung it acoustically all by himself surrounded by hanging light bulbs. He had the whole GMEX / Manchester Central concert hall in tears. Incredibly moving and inspirational. I hope that you're folding stars <3
incredible song
The comment above this one is spot on - it's about his deceased mum. Truly incredible song!
it is about his mum.
i think it's a wonderful tribute. very beautiful.
i love this song, its so sweet! :) xXxSophiexXx
I Love this song.. But I Seem To think Its In a Film? But I have no idea what film.. if it is n a film.. If Not.. I'm Going Mental xD Gorgeous song
Lovely song! Is it just me or is the scottish accent more prominent in this? xo
I think that anyone who has lost a love one can relate to this song...its so tragic and beautiful