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.
Sleeping off the last five years takes another five.
Recovery in lieu of being here right now.
When I throw myself at your feet,
You know it's to be walked on.
We're breaking up every single night.
If I had a choice don't you think I'd make it?
I lost my voice. Hope I didn't break it.
Little demons by my bed whisper secrets.
The kind you never hear.
I dip my toe in this cold, cold life.
I want to dive but I can't find your feet.
You with a view so unlike my own.
I'm trying on your eyes.
So I let go, fall to the ground.
It's a long way down again.
Petty cons keep peeling back my ears.
We make plans.
Collaborate and give to you
my better half.
Until now just dead weight,
A prisoner of doubt.
In a cell we kiss and tell all our keepsakes.
Sore, hit the floor.
Got my first glimpse of the sky.
The stars were on your side.
Who would've thunk
the thirteenth fell on Friday?
I say hello and it's goodbye again.
Recovery in lieu of being here right now.
When I throw myself at your feet,
You know it's to be walked on.
We're breaking up every single night.
If I had a choice don't you think I'd make it?
I lost my voice. Hope I didn't break it.
Little demons by my bed whisper secrets.
The kind you never hear.
I dip my toe in this cold, cold life.
I want to dive but I can't find your feet.
You with a view so unlike my own.
I'm trying on your eyes.
So I let go, fall to the ground.
It's a long way down again.
Petty cons keep peeling back my ears.
We make plans.
Collaborate and give to you
my better half.
Until now just dead weight,
A prisoner of doubt.
In a cell we kiss and tell all our keepsakes.
Sore, hit the floor.
Got my first glimpse of the sky.
The stars were on your side.
Who would've thunk
the thirteenth fell on Friday?
I say hello and it's goodbye again.
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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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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Hayalperest
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
No Surprises
Radiohead
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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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
gorgeous lyrics
This is my favorite of all the slow Jawbreaker songs, although it does speed up at the end.
this sing concludes 24 hour revenge therapy. i think its about coming to terms with a relationship ending and moving on with one's life. i love the lines "collaborate and give to you my better half - until now just dead weight a prisoner of doubt - in a cell we kiss and tell all our keepsakes."
I'll chip in 14 years later. I think the point of view character has given up on the relationship but keeps quiet for the benefit of his partner. He thinks it's been a waste of time ("sleeping off the last 5 years") but says nothing to keep her happy.
"We're breaking up every single night." - his feelings, he can imagine it happening every day. "If I had a choice don't you think I'd make it? I lost my voice. Hope I didn't break it." - he never says anything and each time he gives in gets weaker. "Little demons by my bed whisper secrets.The kind you never hear." - he lies awake at night thinking of ending it when she's happy with him, "You with a view so unlike my own" hammers that home.
Diving in and trying on her eyes, he's pretending he sees the relationship from her perspective for her. "We make plans. Collaborate and give to you my better half. Until now just dead weight, a prisoner of doubt. In a cell we kiss and tell all our keepsakes." He gives in and does what she wants, he feels trapped by her.
"Who would've thunk the thirteenth fell on Friday?" sucks to be him, he feels unlucky and stuck in the relationship with no way out.
That's my opinion anyway.
This song is about the problems he was having with his vocal chords.
haha really?<br />
OOOPS.... Wow! Talk about oversimplification. <br /> <br /> Isn't it really about the angst and pain he feels from his frustrated career as a McDonalds McNugget Chicken Raiser, and the constant exposure to all those chickens with the grotesquely and unnaturally enlarged McBreasts.... Giving rise to the contrast that he must accept that his Frankenchickens are leaving, as they line up excitedly, awaiting their ride on the Mechanical Chicken Separator machine. In the end he wonders if he can achieve some closure, bridging the chasm of their separation, by breaking out some Honey Mustard or BBQ Sauce and maybe a six or nine piece.... a real "Happy Meal". <br /> <br /> Wow... how can any one song be so chock full of Ironical Meta-fours (and even some Meta-twos and threes. Insane!