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.
From the east to the south
I tongue the roof of my mouth
To new days of doubt without you
First gear
I face the trouble ahead
Final word has been said
Long distance spread between us
I tell myself to
Hold on
It won't be long
Till I grow through this struggle
Time to wake up
Find my soul
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Not called for weeks now
Six days without sleep means
I am a slave to my early grave
If I do not be brave, behave
Seize myself out of this mess
I have created of myself, yet again
Yet again I say
Hold on
It won't be long
till I grow through this struggle
Time to wake up
Find my soul
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
We go on
Heart beats strong
Still whole
Unbroken
As we divide
Our love, goodbye
Thanks for the time
Time of my life
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Time
Time
Of my life
Time
Time
Of my life (So happy without you)
Time
Time
Of my life
Thanks for the time of my life (Happy without you)
Happy without you
Happy without you
I tongue the roof of my mouth
To new days of doubt without you
First gear
I face the trouble ahead
Final word has been said
Long distance spread between us
I tell myself to
Hold on
It won't be long
Till I grow through this struggle
Time to wake up
Find my soul
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Not called for weeks now
Six days without sleep means
I am a slave to my early grave
If I do not be brave, behave
Seize myself out of this mess
I have created of myself, yet again
Yet again I say
Hold on
It won't be long
till I grow through this struggle
Time to wake up
Find my soul
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
We go on
Heart beats strong
Still whole
Unbroken
As we divide
Our love, goodbye
Thanks for the time
Time of my life
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Happy without you
Time
Time
Of my life
Time
Time
Of my life (So happy without you)
Time
Time
Of my life
Thanks for the time of my life (Happy without you)
Happy without you
Happy without you
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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I'm so freakin' happy! Finally some new songs from Mister Wolf hisself!
I could go into my interpretation of this song now but I think it would just ruin the sheer purity and beauty of the song. I have to wait until I've listened it to pieces. XD
And in any case, I think it's pretty self-explanatory.
Ahh, this song made me happy and I've been playing it near endlessly since I first heard it.
Well i think it's got a lot of different emotions on the lyrics, from love, grief, insecurity, sadness, yearning, and that this is not the first time he goes throught a very painful break up. He realises he has to work his way out of his misery, to get up and "keep calm and carry on" like, adjust and find himself again. Still thanking that person for the time they spend together, apparently very very good, but now it's over.
My two cents anyway, and I like this very very much because it concentrates on his emotions rather than who was to blame for their break up. And this applies to my situation at the moment so well that it's almost like he knew I needed this song now. Needless to say, I liked it very very much =)
Isn't the lyric "Happier without you"?