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.
Erica and her Isadore
climbed aboard a balloon
I want more than this kite will soar
I've set our sights on the moon
You can't just leave, I've given everything
I can't believe you're taking everything
You're taking everything
Oh...
It's not who you were
it's who you are
and we've come this far lover
No, I won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
Blinded by their unbridled height
our lovers turned dissolute
You can't just leave, I've given everything
I can't believe you're taking everything
You're taking everything
Oh...
It's not who you were
it's who you are
and we've come this far lover
No, I won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
knows the name Isadore
Then with eyes wide, a splintered sight
There's just one parachute
Goodbye Erica now I see
that my worst fears were in tune
It's not who you were
it's who you are
and we've come this far lover
No, I won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
knows the name Isadore
Won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
climbed aboard a balloon
I want more than this kite will soar
I've set our sights on the moon
You can't just leave, I've given everything
I can't believe you're taking everything
You're taking everything
Oh...
It's not who you were
it's who you are
and we've come this far lover
No, I won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
Blinded by their unbridled height
our lovers turned dissolute
You can't just leave, I've given everything
I can't believe you're taking everything
You're taking everything
Oh...
It's not who you were
it's who you are
and we've come this far lover
No, I won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
knows the name Isadore
Then with eyes wide, a splintered sight
There's just one parachute
Goodbye Erica now I see
that my worst fears were in tune
It's not who you were
it's who you are
and we've come this far lover
No, I won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
knows the name Isadore
Won't rest
until the world
knows the name Isadore
Lyrics submitted by BroMontana
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I've been meditating on these lyrics for a long time now, and I think I have them figured out. This is an INCREDIBLY well-written song, both lyrically and musically, to say the least. I'll give a general analysis first and have a more in-depth look at the lyrics/support below. ONWARD!
THE BASIC STORY This song tells a story about two LOVERS (Erica and a man -- we don't get his name). Erica is pregnant with Isadore(2) -- very pregnant(1), possibly even to the point where she could conceivably give birth soon. Erica and the father-to-be decide to have sex(1). They start out slow, but they gradually take it farther and farther due to the amount of passion involved and the love they have for each other; This is instigated by the man(3). These two lovers are so involved and focused on their feelings (read: "their emotions are clouding their judgment") that they let it go too far(4), to the point where Erica is mortally wounded. Somehow, Erica is induced into labor and gives birth to Isadore before the father's eyes(5), and then she dies(6).
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS
The verses of the song are narrated by the father and the storyteller, whereas the bridge ("You can't just leave...") and chorus "It's not who you were..." sections are narrated by the father only. The general story is delivered through the verses, with the bridge and chorus sections of the song providing the emotional side of the story, namely the impact the story's events have on the father(0).
(1) "Erica and her Isadore climbed aboard a balloon"
(2) See jackiechelle's previous comment about the name "Isadore" and its translation.
(3) "I want more than this kite will soar, Set our sights on the moon"
(4) "Blinded by their unbridled height, Our lovers turn dissolute."
(5) "Then with eyes wide a splintered sight..."
The eyes belong to Erica's lover; They're wide because what's happening is unexpected. When something is "splintered", it is broken off into 2 or more independent groups. Isadore is a part of Erica while still in the womb and exists separately from her after birth. (the proof that Erica has given birth lies in the next line...)
"there's just one parachute"
The parachute is a metaphor for the umbilical cord, connected to Isadore. Parachutes are made to ensure a safe landing when falling from a height high enough to be fatal. Going back to the balloon metaphor from earlier, it appear the balloon that Erica and Isadore were in has "popped" (her water broke), and only Isadore is safe from the fall. A BRILLIANT metaphor.
(6) "Goodbye Erica now I see that my worst fears were in tune"
(0) BRIDGE & CHORUS
After that lengthy but wonderful analysis, I feel too simplistic in saying, "You took the words right out of my mouth."
Awesome!! Special thanks to Musician4Sale I think Brandon and the guys would say, whether the song was written as you think or not...; you did hell of a job man!!! in my country, we would say "que arrechas palabras mi pana!!"
I don't want to harp too harsh and much on you, but I really have to disagree with you here. You're jumping between narators so many times, only to make it somehow fit your theory of pregnancy, although it's much more likely that there's only one narator, Isadore. Why? Because the narator "wants more than this kite will soar" (line 3) and because he's the one taking the parachute, leaving Erica behind (lines 29 - 31). <br /> Let me put it this way: in order to support your theory, you had to invent a narator outside of the baloon and made him have sex with Erica, all of this based on the name "Isadore" and it's ethymology. A similar approach to this would be:<br /> <br /> "Ok, Erica in fact means 'ruler of people', so I guess the song is about this powerhungry Erica traveling over the world in a baloon with a man called Isadore, who eventually grows tired of her, although he originally had feelings for her. Therefor he jumps out of the baloon with a parachute, the parachute being a metaphor for his safe trip back into normality and to the common folk. However, before jumping out of the baloon, Isadore clearly states, that he no longer supports Erica's methods of ruling over people and tells her so ("I can't believe you're taking everything, you're taking everything ")."<br /> <br /> Again, I do not want to flame or harp on you. But I see a lot of flaws in your analysis and frankly, it just makes a lot more sense, that this song is actually inspired by and about the book "Fear of Flying", written by a certain "Erica Jong" and about a certain "Isadora Zelda White Stollerman Wing".
My friend, the fact that you are disagreeing with me only speaks in favor of your intelligence, not against it [And, in looking back on this post after reading the ones after it, your call of "Bullshit" was quite valid :) ].<br /> <br /> Believe me, when I arrived at my interpretation of the lyrics, I wasn't completely satisfied with the results. Could Incubus really have meant all that? If my meaning was the intended one, needless to say, that's one hell of a headache if you're the one writing the poetry! Plus, how many people would you (as the artist) honestly expect to arrive at such a conclusion?? Probably not many.<br /> <br /> In hindsight, I wish I'd have known about "Fear of Flying" before I decided to produce my take on the meaning of the lyrics -- At the very least, it would have saved me a headache or two :)<br /> <br /> Thank you for sharing your thoughts.<br />
This is a different angle than some people have taken on this song; however I've read every comment and listened to the song a hundred times before writing this. I have changed my mind on the meaning of this song a dozen times so I thought I’d share one of my interpretations.
I believe this song is about a girl called Erica who falls in love with someone called Isadore — possibly a female performer or something elaborate, given the name. I think Isadore has had difficulty with her sexuality and and has been completely swept her off her feet by Erika and the prospect of a different way of life.
‘Erika and her Isadore’ outlines the fact that Erika was besotted with Isadore and the feelings were probably reciprocated however Isadore wasn’t completely sure that she wanted this. ‘Climbed aboard a balloon,’ they embarked on a risky adventure guided purely by lust and excitement however Erika wanted to take things much futher than Isadore was happy with — possibly wanted to marry Isadore. ‘I want more than this kite will soar I've set our sights on the moon.’ (the kite depicting the fact they are currently flying high but not high enough for Erika’s Liking)
The journey doesn’t last forever and what started out as a bit of fun has turned into so much more for Erika. ‘Blinded by their unbridled height our lovers turned dissolute’ - both of them were so wrapped up in lust that Erika didn’t stop to think that this was all new to Isadore and at any moment she could decide that this life wasn’t for her. Also Isadore neglected to realise that Erika was infact falling madly in love with her. Before they realised all this it was too late and Isadore did infact decide that being with another girl wasn’t the life for her.
Erika tries to pled with her ‘It's not who you were It's who you are’ — she tries to tell Isadore that this is who she is — she’s been lost for so long and now she’s found herself.
‘we've come this far lover No, I won't rest Until the world Knows the name Isadore Knows the name Isadore’
Erika explains to isadore that they have been on an epic journey and she declares her love for isadore. She wants the world to know that she is deeply in love with isadore — she wants to shout it from the mountain tops so to speak.
‘Then with eyes wide, a splintered sight There's just one parachute’
Erika is heart broken shocked and mortified. She’s in shock, her eyes are wide open in disbelief and she realises that only one of them is going to survive this balloon ride they have embarked on. The parachute belongs to Isadore — she is one who’s jumping out of the balloon and she is the only one who is going to survive.
Despite the various different interpretations you can apply to this song, I guess it's what they lyrics mean to you. Beautiful song, truly beautiful.
problem is...Isadore is a male's name...Isadora is the female version...
After looking up some things about the novel Fear of Flying by Erica Jong, I completely agree with both Ravel and AlisonFowels. Here's why..
Isadora is the main character of the novel and a key component of the storyline is that she decides to take part in a "zipless fuck", or a no strings attached sexual encounter without real emotion. (as said by Ravel)
I found that one of the most popular quotes from within the book was about this weird term, and it stated:
"The zipless fuck is absolutely pure. It is free of ulterior motives. There is no power game . The man is not "taking" and the woman is not "giving." No one is attempting to cuckold a husband or humiliate a wife. No one is trying to prove anything or get anything out of anyone."
Right before each chorus the narrator of the song is distraught saying,"You can't just leave, I've given everything. I can't believe you're taking everything" The "I've given" and "you're taking" parts of these lines are the most important, because if you look at the quote from Fear of Flying it CLEARLY states that there should be no giving or taking in a "zipless fuck" aka meaningless one night stand. EVEN The quote from THE BOOK has the two words singled out in quotations.
So this leads me to believe that the narrator took part in a one night stand like situation and became emotionally attached, and he is sad that his momentary lover was not struck by the same feelings. Notice that at the beginning he says "I set our sights on the moon"... not WE set our sights on the moon. Since "There's just one parachute" she is the only one to get away from it without pain, and his "worst fears" that came true were those of rejection and lack of mutual feelings.
Makes perfect sense to me. I've read Fear of Flying and I think Brandon was definitely inspired by the book. I don't think this has anything to do with a baby or a lesbian couple. SMH. Very imaginative though.
After reading your post, I agree with your interpretation 100% -- If any explanation could be said to come closest to the intended meaning of the lyrics, it would be yours.<br /> <br /> I hadn't even heard of Fear of Flying until reading the above comments. Naturally, I did what everyone else does when they attempt to decipher a song's meaning: I came up with my own take on it. I'll admit, the interpretation I arrived on seemed pretty crazy at the time -- Taken with the above comment in mind, it now seems completely absurd [but, admit it: The ramblings of a college student at 2am in-between homework sessions can be quite entertaining, can't they? :) ]<br /> <br /> But that's the beauty of songwriting/poetry, isn't it? -- The fact that you and I, both looking at the same set of words, can interpret them in entirely different ways. Fine art has that ability :)
The song must be referring to Erica Jong's novel Fear of Flying. The Narrator and main character is Isadore.
I've been going over these lyrics a lot myself. And I'm really impressed as to how much some of you read into them! <br /> However, I highly doubt they are as complex as most of you think. First of all, where the hell do you get the idea of erica being pregnant? Because a baloon is round? Pretty far fetched, if you ask me. Secondly, it's rather obvious who the narator is, there aren't that many options here. Just look at the first few lines:<br /> <br /> "Erica and her Isadore<br /> climbed aboard a balloon<br /> I want more than this kite will soar<br /> I've set our sights on the moon"<br /> <br /> Obviously, the narator has to be one of the two persons travelling in the baloon. Proof: First of all, "kite" in line 3 is a reference to the baloon in line 2, why would an unnamedd narator outside of Isadore and Erica want the "kite to soar"? It's much moar plausible that "I" is simply either Isadore or Erica. Secondly, and more importantly: <br /> <br /> "There's just one parachute<br /> Goodbye Erica now I see<br /> that my worst fears were in tune"<br /> <br /> "I" = the narator uses one of the parachutes, clearly indicating that he'd have to be in the baloon in order to do so...narrowing the identity of the narator down to, again, Erica and Isadore.<br /> <br /> Next, most of you seem to be kinda misled by the in general happy tune of the song. If you just read the lyrics without the music, one actually notices, that there's a lot of unhappiness, discontent and sadness in the lyrics. I picked some of them out for you in order to demonstrate:<br /> <br /> "I can't believe you're taking everything"<br /> "Blinded by their unbridled height<br /> our lovers turned dissolute"<br /> "There's just one parachute<br /> Goodbye Erica now I see<br /> that my worst fears were in tune"<br /> <br /> I don't see a lot of "fatherly" love in those lines. Maybe an angered or broken heart, but certainly not a sad lament about the death of one's lover or something like that.<br /> <br /> And to end my take on the lyrics:<br /> <br /> I'm pretty sure, that AlisonFowles nailed it. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_ofFlying%28novel%29 The way I see it, the song is about what you want out of a one night stand (the "zipless fuck") and what you expect from someone. There are those, who want to "soar higher" (into a serious relationship) and who maybe are disappointed, because there goals are ultimately unachieveable and about how eventually, they come to terms with that, in the end realizing, that it would have been a bad idea to begin with ("Goodbye Erica now I see, that my worst fears were in tune").
From what I understand, the character from Fear of Flying is named Isadora, not Isadore.<br /> <br />
What AlisonFowles said. Pretty obvious actually. Everything else, except maybe the ex girlfriend theory, seems way too far fetched.
i think differently from everyone else. as beautiful as what you believe it means. I think the song is about two lovers who are very different from each other. Isadore is the type who enjoys the modest simple things in life. Erica is the type who wants everything, she wants the world. They love each other very much and erica has this very free spirit and will and wants isadore to come with her, and he is upset because this is not what he wanted even though he desperately loves her. his worst fears are in tune, meaning, knowing they were so different he had fears of them not working out. The end of them is near and always was coming.
Some serious great explanations, kudos to all. I have a different one.
See "theScroog" post and the replies.
Going along with the basis of that novel, this song is actually quite simple, but I don't think anyone has said it yet. There are 3 characters, Narrator, Erica & Isadore (but Isadore isn't his name). The narrator and Erica are in a relationship, and Erica leaves him for a fling/affair and non-committed sex with a man whom the narrator calls an Isadore.
The very first line shows possesion: "Erica and HER Isadore." Isadore is an object of sex.
"I want more than this kite will soar, I've set my sights on the moon" signifies that the narrator wants to have and CONTINUE the relationship that he has with Erica. The kite is a metaphor for the current level of the relationship and he wants to take it further.
The next 4 lines is the narrator's plea for Erica not to leave him, especially for her Isadore.
The chorus "It's not who you were, It's who you are, And we've come this far lover, no..." shows that despite what has gone on in the past or whatever mistakes were made, it doesn't matter since they can be together now still. This is still a plea since it's already known that Erica and her fling/affair is happening.
"I won't rest until the world knows the name Isadore" is simply the narrator's rage for the man she has gone to and left the narrator behind.
"Blinded by their unbridled height, our lovers turn dissolute" The affair is growing stronger than they ever meant it to be, being blinded by all other responsibility (including for the actual relationships that they currently have, such as Erica with the narrator).
Now for the one parachute, I believe this is where Brandon and the other writers left this one up. One of them bails since their affair has gone too far. I believe it's the Isadore that bails, and Erica keeps on sailing in the balloon since the damage from the relationship has already been done. The narrator's worst fear is realized since she isn't coming back and the relationship must come to an end.
Thoughts?
Love your explanation thetatauman. I agree with yours the most<br />
I actually just read this after I posted mine and I think this makes more sense than what I said, haha. I somehow never considered the narrator to be part of it even though technically they are brought into it when he says "I want/my worst fears/etc."
Oooorrrrrrr.... Erica and her Isadore = Erica and her baby. Google "Isadore."
I've been a fan of Incubus ever since I first time I "Pardon Me." And then when Morning View, I really studied Brandon's lyrics and they're so incredibly out there, but more importantly, they're incredibly unique and quite sophisticated really... point is, his lyrics really make me think and it adds so much to the songs. I know he's leaving the word Isadore, as in a feeling,opposed to another person. Brandon does that- making completely abstract-painting metaphors. For I know, Erica has a duel personality and her other personality name's is Isadore. Brandon loves to make his fans read his lyrics as actual poetry, and in poetry, it can be interpreted in infinite opinions... With that said, Isadore is a great song, it's in tune.
I love this song! It's one of my favorites from the new album! I don't know who Isadore is, but he obviously was deeply affected by her. Anyone know more?
@areuwired I think Erica and Isadore are lovers. (Isadore could be a male name too.) They've must have been through a lot already. Then one day, something inevitable happens, the day he fears most has come. The day that the only thing can tear them apart: Death. 'There's only one parachute'. Only one of them could be saved. That would be Erica. 'Won't rest until the world knows the name Isadore' The world must know Isadore and his great love for Erica. (Isadore must have sacrificed himself for Erica.) That's just my own understanding. ;)