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.
Oh morning come bursting, the clouds amen
Lift off this blindfold, let me see again
Bring back the water, let your ships roll in
In my heart she left a hole
The tightrope that I'm walking just sways and ties
The devil as he's talking with those angel's eyes
And I just want to be there when the lightning strikes
And the saints go marching in
And sing slow it down
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Like a river to a raindrop, I lost a friend
My drunken as a Daniel in a lion's den
And tonight I know it all has to begin again
So whatever you do, don't let go
And if we could float away
Fly up to the surface and just start again
And lift off before trouble
Just erodes us in the rain
Just erodes us in the rain
Just erodes us and see roses
In the rain
Sing slow it down
Slow it down
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Lift off this blindfold, let me see again
Bring back the water, let your ships roll in
In my heart she left a hole
The tightrope that I'm walking just sways and ties
The devil as he's talking with those angel's eyes
And I just want to be there when the lightning strikes
And the saints go marching in
And sing slow it down
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Like a river to a raindrop, I lost a friend
My drunken as a Daniel in a lion's den
And tonight I know it all has to begin again
So whatever you do, don't let go
And if we could float away
Fly up to the surface and just start again
And lift off before trouble
Just erodes us in the rain
Just erodes us in the rain
Just erodes us and see roses
In the rain
Sing slow it down
Slow it down
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Through chaos as it swirls
It's us against the world
Lyrics submitted by AshleyRose, edited by JessicaMollie
Us Against the World Lyrics as written by Guy Berryman Brian Peter George Eno
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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My favorite part of the song is, "If we could float away, fly up to the surface and just start again, and lift off before trouble just erodes us in the rain..." This is the desire I have to I can relate to this line on many different levels.
Oh morning come bursting the clouds amen Lift off this blindfold let me see again Bring back the water let your ships roll in In my heart she left a hole
The tightrope that I'm walking just sways and ties The devil as he's talking with those angel's eyes And I just want to be there when the lightening strikes And the saints go marching in
And sing Slow it down Through chaos as it swirls It's us against the world
Like a river to a raindrop I lost a friend My drunken hazard daniel in a lion's den And tonight I know it all has to begin again So whatever you do, don't let go
And if we could float away Fly up to the surface and just start again Lift off before trouble just erodes us in the rain Just erodes us in the rain Just erodes us and see roses in the rain saying
Slow it down Through chaos as it swirls It's us against the world
Through chaos as it swirls It's us against the world
OFFICIAL LYRICS
This song, is about someone who is broken by his love and wants to go back in time. He wants that it is like it used to be. "And if we could float away Fly up to the surface and just start again"
Than, he says : "And lift off before trouble Just erodes us in the rain Just erodes us in the rain Just erodes us and see roses in the rain"
Which means, he wants to go back in time and do it all over, start again, and do it different where it went wrong in the first place.
He also says : "Like a river to a raindrop i lost a friend" It's a beautiful sentence to me, he lost his friend/lover really quickly and unexpected.
"The tightrope that I'm walking just sways and ties" It's difficult for him right now in his situation, he's struggeling with himself because he's so upset about her, he doesn't know what to do. "In my haert she left a whole".
"Lift off this blindfold, let me see again" He wants to be realesed by his pain, so he can "see" again. He is blinded by pain of this woman.
"The devil as he's talking with those angel's eyes" She manipulates him, it's so easy to give in, she deceives him and he knows that. But he is still to in love to let it go...
This is one of my favourite songs, and this was my interpretation :)
@henkie98 I agree with your interpretation. See my comment. I guess it's more of the song's meaning for me, not from Mr. Martin's mindset...
sounds like a lullaby :)
I love this, it sounds like their old stuff. I havent heard anything like this since X & Y
"Oh morning come bursting, the clouds amen Lift off this blindfold, let me see again Bring back the water, let your ships roll in In my heart she left a hole"
i feel memory brought tears to his eyes
I heard "my drum could answer Daniel in a lion's den"
To me it's about wanting to start afresh in a relationship. To forget whatever has troubled them in the past and start from the beginning.
To me there several references to the Bible:
The "Noah's Ark" story: It seems like he's hoping for a storm, which would wash every bad things away in order to start again. And also: "Amen", "Daniel in a lion's den" I think there is others but I don't have much knowledge of the Bible.
I don't think it's a religious song but just references to describe a feeling.
I really like the way he sing: "Slow it down!" Reminds me scenes in movies when things slow down during a battle to show that a character is overwhelm by what is going on...
I personally think that the song is about war.
"Oh morning come bursting, the clouds amen Lift off this blindfold, let me see again" sounds like the person being afraid of what the day could bring. being blinded by fear.
"In my heart she left a hole" He lost contact to an important person for him, not knowing if he / she survived.
"The devil as he's talking with those angel's eyes And I just want to be there when the lightning strikes" all the days of pain, hoping that the war ends, ending the time of poverty and bringing in some hope and peace into the lives of the people again.
"And sing slow it down Through chaos as it swirls It's us against the world" once again - a call for peace and days without fear, in thoughts with the person he lost, trying to find him / her again.
"Like a river to a raindrop I lost a friend My drunken hazard daniel in a lion's den" all started so fast, people dying. even amongst his friends, suddenly being surrounded by war and not being able to do anything against it but watch and hope.
"And tonight I know it all has to begin again So whatever you do, don't let go" every minute it could start again, the war taking lives of innocent people. so enjoy every minute as if it was your last and try not to let the fear get you.
"And if we could float away Fly up to the surface and just start again Lift off before trouble just erodes us in the rain Just erodes us in the rain Just erodes us and see roses in the rain saying" dreaming of how it was if he could only escape the war with all his beloved friends and family, thinking of the joyful days and wanting to relieve them again - now, that the war has taken everything.
it might be a really flawed interpretation, but to me it sounds like some sort of call for hope. a desperate person, expressing the pain he's going through