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.
Where we at now?
Uncle Manson
Cameron Giles
And I'm Mason Betha
And this Untertainment
And we're gonna rise to the top
Jacob the Chancellor
And Troy Topper (check this)
Ayo you might see Cam in designer underwear
New reclining leather chair, reminders everywhere
How we pull up in whips the minors stop and stare
And when it comes to girls they behind us everywhere
I mean when I hang up on 'em they pressin' redial
I mean, what the fuck is it why you stressin' me child?
It'd be one thing if you were finessin' my style
But when I go to court, you know the dress of the trial
You not my wife, so if I ask head I be fowl
You better be down, the only question better be, how
Threaten me now, bet me a thou', no girl deadin' me now
In the SC we're gone, are you sexy in thongs?
If you'll sex in the Lex' and your head be the bomb
I'll get you that shit that Gretzky skate on
What you mean 'Gretzky be on'? Ice, hockey
Please mamacita (oh you're gonna buy me diamonds)
Horse and carriage is for hire (bitch, shut the fuck up)
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Horse and carriage
See my love's for hire
Yo, ayo I love when cats think
They bigger than a sumo
That when I hit 'em with some Puerto Rican judo
Uh, you don't know what that is
That's when I say, "They don't know who gat this is"
(And you don't know?) Yo' guns is hand me downs
(And you don't know?) We'll put you where you can't be found
(And you don't know?) You better toughin' up
('Cause you don't know) nigga will fuck you up
(And you don't know?) Baby, we don't need you
And when it comes to Jimmy, my name's, "Me Too"
'Cause when he got cash, I was like, "Me too"
And when he got ass I said, "Me too"
And when he got the drop I was like, "Me too"
And when he almost got shot I said, "Me too"
What you get now is just a preview
Please mamacita (we all tinted out)
Horse and carriage (your car's see-through I see you)
Is for hire
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Horse and carriage, see my love's for hire (yo, yo)
Ayo, I pull to the hotel with my shit on blast
Tell the valet, "Motherfucker, don't hit my Jag"
Seen the bell boy, nigga he can kiss my ass
Just show me my room nigga, and get my bags
So the girl, that's my hon, almost dropped his glass
I guess he was shocked when I touched her ass
But it really wasn't nothin' she was peedy a'ight
"Does that say Harlem World?" Yeah, you readin' it right
And we havin' a party, be there tonight
Like Phil Collins, have her in the heat of the night
'Cause Cam' rocks the party (all night long)
'Til when? ('Til the early morn')
It don't stop and uh
It don't quit and uh
I drive six and uh
We pop Cris, and uh
Right now too tipsy to drive
Please mamacita (but ma, I got my horse and carriage right outside)
Horse and carriage is for hire
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Horse and carriage
See my love's for hire
Horse and carriage is for hire
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Michael Foster, Huddy Combs
Jimmy Jones, Stason Betha and Bloodshed for ever
And we're gonna rise, and we're gonna rise
And we're gonna rise to the top
Andre Thompson (woo)
Uncle Manson
Cameron Giles
And I'm Mason Betha
And this Untertainment
And we're gonna rise to the top
Jacob the Chancellor
And Troy Topper (check this)
Ayo you might see Cam in designer underwear
New reclining leather chair, reminders everywhere
How we pull up in whips the minors stop and stare
And when it comes to girls they behind us everywhere
I mean when I hang up on 'em they pressin' redial
I mean, what the fuck is it why you stressin' me child?
It'd be one thing if you were finessin' my style
But when I go to court, you know the dress of the trial
You not my wife, so if I ask head I be fowl
You better be down, the only question better be, how
Threaten me now, bet me a thou', no girl deadin' me now
In the SC we're gone, are you sexy in thongs?
If you'll sex in the Lex' and your head be the bomb
I'll get you that shit that Gretzky skate on
What you mean 'Gretzky be on'? Ice, hockey
Please mamacita (oh you're gonna buy me diamonds)
Horse and carriage is for hire (bitch, shut the fuck up)
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Horse and carriage
See my love's for hire
Yo, ayo I love when cats think
They bigger than a sumo
That when I hit 'em with some Puerto Rican judo
Uh, you don't know what that is
That's when I say, "They don't know who gat this is"
(And you don't know?) Yo' guns is hand me downs
(And you don't know?) We'll put you where you can't be found
(And you don't know?) You better toughin' up
('Cause you don't know) nigga will fuck you up
(And you don't know?) Baby, we don't need you
And when it comes to Jimmy, my name's, "Me Too"
'Cause when he got cash, I was like, "Me too"
And when he got ass I said, "Me too"
And when he got the drop I was like, "Me too"
And when he almost got shot I said, "Me too"
What you get now is just a preview
Please mamacita (we all tinted out)
Horse and carriage (your car's see-through I see you)
Is for hire
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Horse and carriage, see my love's for hire (yo, yo)
Ayo, I pull to the hotel with my shit on blast
Tell the valet, "Motherfucker, don't hit my Jag"
Seen the bell boy, nigga he can kiss my ass
Just show me my room nigga, and get my bags
So the girl, that's my hon, almost dropped his glass
I guess he was shocked when I touched her ass
But it really wasn't nothin' she was peedy a'ight
"Does that say Harlem World?" Yeah, you readin' it right
And we havin' a party, be there tonight
Like Phil Collins, have her in the heat of the night
'Cause Cam' rocks the party (all night long)
'Til when? ('Til the early morn')
It don't stop and uh
It don't quit and uh
I drive six and uh
We pop Cris, and uh
Right now too tipsy to drive
Please mamacita (but ma, I got my horse and carriage right outside)
Horse and carriage is for hire
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Horse and carriage
See my love's for hire
Horse and carriage is for hire
Mamacita, please senorita
We're gonna rise to the top
Michael Foster, Huddy Combs
Jimmy Jones, Stason Betha and Bloodshed for ever
And we're gonna rise, and we're gonna rise
And we're gonna rise to the top
Andre Thompson (woo)
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.