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.
Everyone starts with the sweetest dreams
Living long life living beautiful scenes
Make a million dollars wearing gold and jewels
Drive a big black Benz or a Caribbean cruise
Or maybe you dream that you just can't lose
Or playing blues is the path that you choose
Or perhaps your dream of going back to nature's plan
And just live off the land and be a natural man
Or of a beautiful girl who's holding your hand
Loving the one you're with, with her beautiful tan
Like you're holding the riff that laying in your hand
Or you dream of playing band from electric lady land
Riffs just like Jimi Hendrix
[Chorus]
Are you feeling the feeling that I'm feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that I'm feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that I'm feeling
"stop daydreaming!"
That's what my teachers used to say
While they kick a bunch of crap that I forgot anyway
Educatin's important to make a man complete
But everything I learned in school
I learned again on the street
Now my time is booked cause I've got the look
And when I walk on my path
You know I can't be shook
Stay alert in this day you have to go for yours
The force conspires to help brothers
That help others open doors
Wars and battles, rage round us everyday
While the real troops keep our heads up while we play
This game of chance that they busy calling life
Can be quite a disappointing ride
You can't blame the youth and you can't blame god
Now who you gonna blame when the dogs in the yard
[Chorus]
Wisdom asks "are you ready for this?"
Experience says "the kid can't miss"
Professional advice got you thinking twice
Don't roll the dice if you can't pay the price
The omen says "walk towards the light
The first impulse is free and it's always right"
Doubt suggests "what you think you can achieve?"
You're just a Philly kid from south 2 street
Rapping blues and playing guitar
Now I'm chillin sky's the limit
I'm a rock and 'roll star
Making funky music hit records are exploding
The free wind is blowing
Higher than the liars melting in the fire
How high can you ride?
The greatest victory it was
When we believe in legends getting busy like the man
They call "school's in session" addressing all you people
Like I know who you are 'cause streets are universal and the world is wide
But no matter what you're running from you just can't hide
If you seek the truth, the truest kid you'll find
So trace your tracks a fact's a fact
Three aces one king and a one eyed jack
You ain't going no where until its time to leave
Your wind's just a little story that I'm starting to read
[Chorus]
Living long life living beautiful scenes
Make a million dollars wearing gold and jewels
Drive a big black Benz or a Caribbean cruise
Or maybe you dream that you just can't lose
Or playing blues is the path that you choose
Or perhaps your dream of going back to nature's plan
And just live off the land and be a natural man
Or of a beautiful girl who's holding your hand
Loving the one you're with, with her beautiful tan
Like you're holding the riff that laying in your hand
Or you dream of playing band from electric lady land
Riffs just like Jimi Hendrix
[Chorus]
Are you feeling the feeling that I'm feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that I'm feeling
Dreams are like fish you gots to keep on reeling
Are you feeling the feeling that I'm feeling
"stop daydreaming!"
That's what my teachers used to say
While they kick a bunch of crap that I forgot anyway
Educatin's important to make a man complete
But everything I learned in school
I learned again on the street
Now my time is booked cause I've got the look
And when I walk on my path
You know I can't be shook
Stay alert in this day you have to go for yours
The force conspires to help brothers
That help others open doors
Wars and battles, rage round us everyday
While the real troops keep our heads up while we play
This game of chance that they busy calling life
Can be quite a disappointing ride
You can't blame the youth and you can't blame god
Now who you gonna blame when the dogs in the yard
[Chorus]
Wisdom asks "are you ready for this?"
Experience says "the kid can't miss"
Professional advice got you thinking twice
Don't roll the dice if you can't pay the price
The omen says "walk towards the light
The first impulse is free and it's always right"
Doubt suggests "what you think you can achieve?"
You're just a Philly kid from south 2 street
Rapping blues and playing guitar
Now I'm chillin sky's the limit
I'm a rock and 'roll star
Making funky music hit records are exploding
The free wind is blowing
Higher than the liars melting in the fire
How high can you ride?
The greatest victory it was
When we believe in legends getting busy like the man
They call "school's in session" addressing all you people
Like I know who you are 'cause streets are universal and the world is wide
But no matter what you're running from you just can't hide
If you seek the truth, the truest kid you'll find
So trace your tracks a fact's a fact
Three aces one king and a one eyed jack
You ain't going no where until its time to leave
Your wind's just a little story that I'm starting to read
[Chorus]
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Light Up The Sky
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
look at the chorus and u can see that it means u have to keep on chasing your dreams day in and day out. in a version i have of the song, he starts off like "this track is dedicated in loving memory to bradley, of long beach california..." - definitely a reference to the god that was the sublime frontman...im not sure what version it is, it might be like the cd version, i dunno