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.
Alright
You said
I cannot get there from here, baby
And I don't care where I'm goin'
Here's to your thin red line
I'm stepping over
Thought you'd never miss me
'Til I got a Fat City address
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress
Change, nothing stays the same
Unchained, and you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
And no, I don't ask for permission
This is my chance to fly
Maybe enough ain't enough for you
But it's my turn to try
Thought you'd never miss me
'Til I got a Fat City address
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
Blue-eyed murder in a side-swiped dress
Change, nothing stays the same
Unchained, and you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Woohoo
Take a look at this
Hey, man, that suit is you
Hoo wee, you'll get some leg tonight for sure
Tell us how you do
(Come on, Dave, give me a break)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, one break coming up
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained
You said
I cannot get there from here, baby
And I don't care where I'm goin'
Here's to your thin red line
I'm stepping over
Thought you'd never miss me
'Til I got a Fat City address
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
Blue-eyed murder in a size five dress
Change, nothing stays the same
Unchained, and you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
And no, I don't ask for permission
This is my chance to fly
Maybe enough ain't enough for you
But it's my turn to try
Thought you'd never miss me
'Til I got a Fat City address
Non-stop talker, what a rocker
Blue-eyed murder in a side-swiped dress
Change, nothing stays the same
Unchained, and you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Woohoo
Take a look at this
Hey, man, that suit is you
Hoo wee, you'll get some leg tonight for sure
Tell us how you do
(Come on, Dave, give me a break)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, one break coming up
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained, yeah you hit the ground running
Change, ain't nothing stays the same
Unchained
Lyrics submitted by UseYourIllusion
Unchained Lyrics as written by Edward Van Halen Alex Van Halen
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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 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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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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that "someone" is Ted Templeman, producer of many awesome Van Halen records and some DLR albums.
Unchained certainly comes across as a break up song regarding a blue eyed girl with a size 5 dress.
Think the place to start is with the "Fat City" line. It's old slang that means flush w/ cash.
"Thought you'd never miss me till 'till I got a fat city address" talking about an ex that wouldn't think twice about him, unless she hears he got rich.
This makes sense to me when looking at the line "Enough ain't enough for you" which I take to mean they had enough to get by, but it wasn't good enough for her, she wants a guy that's going to provide the finer things in life.
Back to the first line "You said we couldn't get there from here baby and I don't care where I'm going" Sounds like she's accusing him of having no career ambition and wouldn't be able to provide for her the lifestyle she desires doing what he's doing (perhaps singing in some local band playing crappy dive bars?). Her "Thin red Line" was her ultimatum of get a real job or I'm gone.
His response "Change? Nothing stays the same" Basically, nothing last forever. Oh well.
"Unchained...hit the ground running" speaks for itself; I'm free now and I'm going to go for my dreams, "I don't ask for permission". "My chance to fly", "My turn to try", all go along with this. He's free now, Unchained.
This song is legendary. How could no one Comment?
Alrite, well the song starts off with some thick and chunky guitar work from God(Eddie) and then leads into an all out rocker as the Rhythm Section joins, as Dave does a few of his trademark shouts.
Roth starts "singing"(it is more like shouting on key for this part) with some slightly Busy guitar work in the background, but nothing too distracting. It leads into the Pre-Chorus where the whole band sings some backup vocals, and then leads into the Chorus. "Change" and "Unchained" are sang by all of the band members, as Eddie plays the Intro beneath it all, this time with the Rhythm Backing him up on vocals and instruments.
The solo in this song isnt some of Eddie's BEST work, but it is simple and fits the song, which is fine. With some odd articulation, he makes the song kind of jolty.
Another run through the Chorus leads into a small Bridge part, where Dave is shouting at someone(at the recording studio?). The "someone" shuts Roth up, and "one break" comes up. Leading back into the Chorus until the end. THe last chorus has a bit of simple(as far as Van Halen goes) soloing, and it ends off with another little lick.
Not sure what the song is about, im assuming maybe about leaving a girl(ball and chain) and now he is free and wants to get back to being himself again(Hits the ground(breaks up) and starts running(back to his old self).
Amazing song. Classic.
Eddies favorite song to play
I can't get enough! I love this song. It is definitely my favorite VH song.
I believe that the first interpretation is correct. It makes perfect sense. Think about the prechorus: "Thought you'd never miss me 'Til I got a fat city address" He moves out, and she misses him. Great song.
The best song next to Hear About It Later on "Fair Warning" IMO. As for the meaning, I agree with the post above mine.
This has got to be my favorite song by Van Halen EVER! This song is deffinatley about him becoming famous and how people are coming out of the "wood work" so to say and trying to be his friends.
I agree. It's about freedom from a relationship.
I think I heard this song on a film before but I can't recall the name. But anyways classical song.