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.
Those schoolgirl days
Of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind
I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
"To sir, with love"
The time has come
For closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave
I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That's a lot to learn
What, what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart
"To sir, with love"
Of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind
I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy, but I'll try
If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
"To sir, with love"
The time has come
For closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave
I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That's a lot to learn
What, what can I give you in return?
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart
"To sir, with love"
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@[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.
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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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“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.
It's funny that people call this song sweet, cute, or wholesome in any way. I think it's a good choice for the Lolita soundtrack.
@stonyt10 It makes me think of Gary Puckett songs where he sings about his bouts with pedophilia (Young Girl, etc). I guess this kind of thing was more acceptable back then.
@stonyt10 see my recent comment on this song in relation to the younger lady addressing the older man in her life
My mom thinks I am wierd, but I have always loved this song, even if it was number 1 on the billboards 20 years before I was born. I just think it has so much truth of transition and growing up. even when i was little, I could always just connect to the lyrics in this song. There are people in our lives who make us who we are...and that is something we can never truly thank them enough for.
i love this song .. i esp love the boy meets world graduation episode where eric sang it to mr. feeny
If I didn't know it was from a movie soundtrack (and with associated characters), I would think it's rather disturbing – a school girl expressing love to an older man? And it's her teacher?!
But then it's also about "my best friend" –Â so yeah sure. Whatever.
I think the melody and tone (instead of the lyrics) make 90% of the listening quality. It's one of my favorites despite the meaning of the lyrics.
<br /> Almost eleven years ago I kindled an important friendship with a 40 year old professor when I was 18.<br /> There was no sex, there was no romance; there was no violation of professional ethics. We just talked. About<br /> physics and metaphysics and the nature of the universe and pet cats and toothpaste and everything and both of us<br /> were made better by the connection. Years later we struck the friendship up again and the connection has not changed,<br /> although I am no longer teased by my classmates about being in love with the teacher. He was my teacher, but he was my best friend; at the time, he was the only person who really <br /> "got" me, and I suspect I was probably the only person who really "got" him. There was nothing manipulative or concocted<br /> to our friendship; it was natural, and was always there, and I believe it always will be. I learned a lot about<br /> what is real and true and good from him. <br /> <br /> So he was there from crayons (so to speak) to perfume. I could sing him this song and it would be exactly true.<br /> <br /> I don't think there is anything creepy about it; there's not a hint of pedophilia here.<br /> All you have is a student who is profoundly thanking a teacher she connected with on a truly deep level, and it's her<br /> choice how she chooses to express that.<br /> <br /> I think we are a society who is deeply afraid of love.<br /> <br /> eslkevin.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/what-is-the-meaning-behind-the-song-to-sir-with-love-by-lulu/
@veryken I just posted a comment up there, and then I saw what you said here. It's funny because I had just said that this could be part of the Lolita soundtrack. He took her from crayons to perfume (made a woman out of her) then when she was old enough she bailed. Probably helped her out quite a bit financially, so she's saying "Thanks, but no thanks." But she's not going to burn any bridges because she may need him again.
@veryken see my recent comment on this song in relation to the younger lady addressing the older man in her life
Ahh yes, this is such a cute song
i loved this song & the movie & the book.
Natalie Merchant sings this also, great updated version of it.
The beautiful part of this song for me is that the gift to "Sir" is the song itself. A gift of song... could there be anything better?
LoL Does nobody understand the basis of the movie and song? He is her teacher and her "Sir"! The movie didn't tell all that was in the book it was derived from. Scotty
I always saw a double meaning in this tune - obviously it covers the movie theme of the students' admiration of their teacher who cared for and enlightened them to move forward in their lives - but I also think that it sounds like a girl saying farewell to her father (sir) as she goes on to the next chapter in her life whatever it may be - either way this song still never gets old for me