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.
I've got this thing somewhere in between empty and dark always in my heart. I've got this glitch on account of which I don't add up, but I don't give up hope, cause if you're a bit demoralized and kind of devastated less than optimistic or frustrated remember hey hey hey oh baby hey hey hey oh baby hey hey hey we're semi-OK and that's a whole lot better than we used to be yesterday semi-ok is a kinda sorta brand new day with this development, distressingly content. If you want to see come along with me or just stay where you are yeah, actually, just stay there but my point is this if you've got a glitch you may not add up but you're close enough you'll find life can be kind of cool and not completely terrible absoutely sort of almost bearable wo wo wo oh baby wo wo wo we're semi-O and that's half an "O" more than we had just awhile ago semi-OK is the semi-best way it's the semi-cool semi-swell semi-all-the-way kind of semi-superlative kinda sorta brand new day new day kinda sort brand new day.
Lyrics submitted by alk3girl
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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
Hayalperest
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.
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Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
What a tune. I used to love this when I was like 15 jus because it was catchy and all but really had no idea what it meant, or bothered to delve into it. Funny how sometimes things just hit ya when you're ready to hear them. Now I'm 24, sober off of drugs and alcohol for 2 years, taking a look at myself, trying to make sense of life. What a great tune.
So ya know, we're semi-OK. We're not really OK, we're glitched, life is messy, it doesn't work out the way we want it to. It hurts, we cry. We're not perfect, we make mistakes. We're confused. But despite all that, we're doing OK. We don't give up hope.
With this development, distressingly content. I said some things I shouldn't have said to a girl I like, she just told me she wants to take a week off to think over her and I. I don't like it, I wish I had never said that stuff, I wish I wasn't glitched like that. I wonder if she's gonna want to see me again. I'm sad. But yknow what, with this development, I'm distressingly content. I feel OK about it. Even... Content. Distressingly - it's like, where is this coming from? Back in the day this was the cause for self-destruction.
Great spirituality in this song. Love, love, love it. Take care all. :)