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.
Ain't gonna take it - Amymore (3x's)
Don't mess with my head - don't mess with my head
Don't mess with my head - don't mess with my mind
Now you messed with me the very last time
Well I'm mad as hell - hell that's the truth
For someone like you I got no use
Chorus: Ain't gonna take it - Anymore (3X's)
It's a quarter to pain - half past hate
I got to get moving cause I'm running late
It was all thought out, but now I'm breaking the pain
In a moment we'll find out who's the man
Well you should have stopped and seen that I'm not the one
Now there's no stopping what's got to get done
You shouldn't have messed with my head
You shouldn't have messed with my mind
And now you'll find out about cyco time
Chorus: Ain't gonna take it - Anymore
You picked at my soul - you picked at my brain
You pushed my button like I'm a video game
You picked at my head you picked at my mind
But now you've picked on me the very last time
Cause I'm heavy on my mind and I'm light on my feet
That's just the sad facts thats not conceit
You picked at my head you picked at my mind
But now you've picked on me the very last time
Ain't gonna take it Ain't gonna take it Ain't gonna take it
Chorus: Ain't gonna take it - Anymore (3X's)
Don't mess with my head - don't mess with my head
Don't mess with my head - don't mess with my mind
Now you messed with me the very last time
Well I'm mad as hell - hell that's the truth
For someone like you I got no use
Chorus: Ain't gonna take it - Anymore (3X's)
It's a quarter to pain - half past hate
I got to get moving cause I'm running late
It was all thought out, but now I'm breaking the pain
In a moment we'll find out who's the man
Well you should have stopped and seen that I'm not the one
Now there's no stopping what's got to get done
You shouldn't have messed with my head
You shouldn't have messed with my mind
And now you'll find out about cyco time
Chorus: Ain't gonna take it - Anymore
You picked at my soul - you picked at my brain
You pushed my button like I'm a video game
You picked at my head you picked at my mind
But now you've picked on me the very last time
Cause I'm heavy on my mind and I'm light on my feet
That's just the sad facts thats not conceit
You picked at my head you picked at my mind
But now you've picked on me the very last time
Ain't gonna take it Ain't gonna take it Ain't gonna take it
Chorus: Ain't gonna take it - Anymore (3X's)
Lyrics submitted by myownprison333
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Van Halen
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.
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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/
Like he said Ain't gonna take it - Anymore.