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.
Now when she went to chicago that night she faced a wall
And she woke up outside with all those leaves in her mouth
And felt the pall
And all night the rain came on down
But then she'd never been to chicago at night before the fall
And it don't stop not at all
It falls all around
In the city
Hits the ground
And now everybody's at disadvantage
Speaking with their second language
She'd never been there before they went and set up the wall
And though nobody'd expected much from this reinvention
She still broke right down after all
Because she knew that it was all over and we'd hit a wall
And like the fall this was all
Now it's all around
In the city
On the ground
And now everybody's at disadvantage
Speaking with their second language
And I never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
And she woke up outside with all those leaves in her mouth
And felt the pall
And all night the rain came on down
But then she'd never been to chicago at night before the fall
And it don't stop not at all
It falls all around
In the city
Hits the ground
And now everybody's at disadvantage
Speaking with their second language
She'd never been there before they went and set up the wall
And though nobody'd expected much from this reinvention
She still broke right down after all
Because she knew that it was all over and we'd hit a wall
And like the fall this was all
Now it's all around
In the city
On the ground
And now everybody's at disadvantage
Speaking with their second language
And I never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Never been to the wall
Lyrics submitted by foxyurchin, edited by smallwonderrobot
Chicago at Night Lyrics as written by Britt Daniel
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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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,
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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/
I'm not sure about the meaning, but the imagery in this song is great. "She woke up outside with all those leaves in her mouth" etc... Chicago is so dark and sinister and I just get great pictures when I hear the verse of this song.
since when is chicago dark and sinister?
i think the writer just has a connection with Chicago, probably not that it's so sinister a city. all cities have underworlds for people to find trouble in. this song really sounds like imagery of death, some naive gal running away to the city but ending up dead. the leaves imagery & the pall imagery, that's what i see. his voice for this song is amazing. headphones make it even better.
he said last night (in chicago at the riv) that he wrote this in ukranian village, which is a neighborhood here.
I wonder if the village mostly came into existence, or had a big population increase, after the Berlin wall was built. <br /> <br /> I started thinking that the wall in the song is not a wall in Chicago, but actually refering to the Berlin Wall as a general symbol of the communist takover of much of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. <br /> <br /> That makes the "second language" part make sense. Because so many people's lives were disrupted and they had to move to America, they now have to speak in a second language.
Perhaps it's about some kid who tried to go to the city to make it big with their art, and they just got shot down by the pretentious assholes, as you do when you go into that field.
Hence she "hit a wall" And "everybody's at a disadvantage speaking with that second language"
I feel like this belongs on Floyds 'The Wall'
D: