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.
There's no time for us
There's no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams
Yet slips away from us?
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
There's no chance for us
It's all decided for us
This world has only one
Sweet moment set aside for us
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Who?
Who dares to love forever
Oh, when love must die?
But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Forever is our today
Who waits forever anyway?
There's no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams
Yet slips away from us?
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
There's no chance for us
It's all decided for us
This world has only one
Sweet moment set aside for us
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Who?
Who dares to love forever
Oh, when love must die?
But touch my tears with your lips
Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever
And we can love forever
Forever is our today
Who wants to live forever?
Who wants to live forever?
Forever is our today
Who waits forever anyway?
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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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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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
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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.
i think this song is quite optimistic.
at the start the song acknowledges the brevity of our lives and ultimately death takes it away - how unfair - there's no chance, and who doesn't want to live forever. but then...
you CAN 'live forever' - but only when there is no future or past, living in the present (touching lips and fingertips).
the lesson in the lyrics: don't dwell on the past, don't worry about the future, be here in the the now 'forever is our today'
change the focus of your mind and you can live forever...
Over analysis on this one. It was written for the film 'Highlander', Connor Macleod id immortal, Heather his woman isn't, he has to watch her grow old and die, and the song reflects the melancholy of his position. Clever beautiful song, but wholly commercial.
Surely it was written for the movie, but the sharpest lyrics always carry the possibility to be intepreted in many ways that can bring to deeper meanings.
illninofan, if you had actually read Romeo and Juliet, you would understand.
So, in your own words "Dont try to analyze something you know nothing about". ;)
This is the soundtrack of the film "Highlander".
what a great song :)
what a great song :)
I wish people would make comments worth reading. Most of these are not worthy of typing out and pressing the button to "Add." "Save Me" from this stupidity.
Back in '91 or '92, not too long after Freddie died, the rest of the band did a benefit concert, with all sorts of other musicians joining them. Seal (who I didn't know anything about at that point) did an incredibly moving rendition of this song.
One of my favorite Songs from Queen, Freddy's Voice is so powerful, too bad he had to leave this world behind so early!
It's opera-like. It's extremely beautiful. I can't think of an interpretation of it, but I hope that someone here can try.