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.
I think it's fair to say that I chose hopelessness...
and inflicted it on the rest of us,
but at least I've come to terms with my own mortality.
We search for different ways to make it through the wall,
resign our parents' interests will one day be our own.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
The guy singing all the sad songs died,
Oh well I guess he was right, oh I guess he was right.
We learn together over time that tolerance is more appealing
In theory than in practice.
I identify my starsign by asking which is least compatible with yours.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
A room full of vacuum and a room full of air look the same.
You have not been reborn they've just painted your face,
painted the walls.
Message sent to so far unreached peoples:
I think they've got it in for us,
I think they've got it in for us.
How you break the rules that you yourself imposed:
I think you've got it in for us,
I think you've got it in for yourselves.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
A room full of vacuum and a room full of air look the same.
You have not been reborn they've just painted your face,
painted the walls.
Painted your face,
painted the walls.
Painted your face,
painted the walls.
Painted your face.
and inflicted it on the rest of us,
but at least I've come to terms with my own mortality.
We search for different ways to make it through the wall,
resign our parents' interests will one day be our own.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
The guy singing all the sad songs died,
Oh well I guess he was right, oh I guess he was right.
We learn together over time that tolerance is more appealing
In theory than in practice.
I identify my starsign by asking which is least compatible with yours.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
A room full of vacuum and a room full of air look the same.
You have not been reborn they've just painted your face,
painted the walls.
Message sent to so far unreached peoples:
I think they've got it in for us,
I think they've got it in for us.
How you break the rules that you yourself imposed:
I think you've got it in for us,
I think you've got it in for yourselves.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
We wait at ease,
We wait to see,
We are waiting here for catastrophe.
A room full of vacuum and a room full of air look the same.
You have not been reborn they've just painted your face,
painted the walls.
Painted your face,
painted the walls.
Painted your face,
painted the walls.
Painted your face.
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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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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
This song is about the trojan war(and ofc our petty tragic emotional lives)
The wall is the wall of Troy.
"I think it's fair to say that I chose hopelessness... and inflicted it on the rest of us, but at least I've come to terms with my own mortality." Here Garrett is assuming the role of Achilles.
"The guy singing all the sad songs died," - This is Homer
honestly i just assume the whole album is an illad concept piece.
@insufferabilia Nice view, that's interesting!