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.
We got a drug
We're gonna try it out on you
Won't make you die
It'll getcha just a little bit sick
Got a head cold, got a chest cold and it's three days old goin' on forever
Make you hazy, make you lazy, drive you crazy
For days and days and days and days and days and years
Barely got the time now
To stay on the job
Double up the dosage in your water supply
Make you even sicker till you're slippin' away
Getting all depressed, it's getting all your friends
You can't get it up for nothing that'll rock the boat
No!
The government flu
The government flu
The government flu
Slip it abroad
Keep a-slowin' down the USSR
But meanwhile
We'll keep an eye on what it's doin' to you
Got a head cold, got a chest cold and it's three days old, goin' on forever
Make you hazy, make you lazy, drive you crazy
For days and days and days and days and days and
Days and days and days and days and days and
Days and days and days and days and days and years
The government flu
The government flu
The government flew
Through
You
We're gonna try it out on you
Won't make you die
It'll getcha just a little bit sick
Got a head cold, got a chest cold and it's three days old goin' on forever
Make you hazy, make you lazy, drive you crazy
For days and days and days and days and days and years
Barely got the time now
To stay on the job
Double up the dosage in your water supply
Make you even sicker till you're slippin' away
Getting all depressed, it's getting all your friends
You can't get it up for nothing that'll rock the boat
No!
The government flu
The government flu
The government flu
Slip it abroad
Keep a-slowin' down the USSR
But meanwhile
We'll keep an eye on what it's doin' to you
Got a head cold, got a chest cold and it's three days old, goin' on forever
Make you hazy, make you lazy, drive you crazy
For days and days and days and days and days and
Days and days and days and days and days and
Days and days and days and days and days and years
The government flu
The government flu
The government flew
Through
You
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Light Up The Sky
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
There's no veil on these lyrics although a simple-minded jack ass would disagree. Not one of DK's prouder moments but the reason I'm posting a comment is how insanely obvious the parrot effect is in this song. Jello bit off Dylan, Dylan bit off Woodie Guthrie, and every so called punk rock band that sand something besides sex drugs and rock n roll (which is more than suitable for me) bit off our beloved dead kennedys. I wish more songs nowadays had the balls to push the envelope like jello did, and once again, this song wasn't there strongest but how can you not feed into the notion of big brother's evil agenda. And I don't think its just an appetite for conspiracy theory bull-shit, what Jello wrote about is not literal, I don't think I have to even explain that, but what I think he is trying to convey is the Absolute Loss Of Trust. And the saddest part is that its a loss among ourselves, our own communities, our own state, of our country. And now, 2010, "everything" is so blatantly corrupt and dead that we need so many more song slike this but the Fuckin God Damn American People don't even give a shit if they're getting raped, robbed, or ripped off. Give them convenience ogr give them death!!!!