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.
Can you talk to me
Honestly
Cuz I never heard a word you said now
And I ain't just being mean
Cuz all we are is what we're told
And most of that's been lies
It's like a made for TV movie
And I just blew my lines
Someday you never made it
and maybe you never will
Hey, you never made it
It ain't that unusual
Now I feel unknown
And it's safe that way
Are you too bored to care or too dumb to be scared
What's that supposed to mean
I'm burnt out on some empty reasons
And other wastes of time
Something that I wish I'd said
But I don't think it rhymed
Someday you never made it
and maybe you never will
Hey, you never made it
It ain't that unusual
See I'd love to be you
Least then I'd see you
Sorry I put them words in your mouth
but you wouldn't talk to me
Everything I want I haven't got
Sick of everything I'm not
Put my heavy coat on for a while
It's freezing in the corner of my mind
Someday you never made it
and maybe you never will
Hey, you never made it
Now ain't that unusual
Honestly
Cuz I never heard a word you said now
And I ain't just being mean
Cuz all we are is what we're told
And most of that's been lies
It's like a made for TV movie
And I just blew my lines
Someday you never made it
and maybe you never will
Hey, you never made it
It ain't that unusual
Now I feel unknown
And it's safe that way
Are you too bored to care or too dumb to be scared
What's that supposed to mean
I'm burnt out on some empty reasons
And other wastes of time
Something that I wish I'd said
But I don't think it rhymed
Someday you never made it
and maybe you never will
Hey, you never made it
It ain't that unusual
See I'd love to be you
Least then I'd see you
Sorry I put them words in your mouth
but you wouldn't talk to me
Everything I want I haven't got
Sick of everything I'm not
Put my heavy coat on for a while
It's freezing in the corner of my mind
Someday you never made it
and maybe you never will
Hey, you never made it
Now ain't that unusual
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
First off, my favorite song of all time. I've always interpreted it like this: "A Boy Named Goo" was possibly the last record the Goos were ever going to make. John was on the verge of quitting the band. Things didn't look to good. This is a very sarcastic song to me. It's basically about the band not 'making it', and John's feeling about possibly not making music anymore (There's something that I wish I'd said/but I don't think it'd rhyme) and really their impending failure. Kind of a 'oh well, I don't care' kind of song.
Angus BIOTCH!!
I think this song is about wanting something but not getting it. Also wishing you'd said something when you didn't say a word. Then realizing that it isn't unusual for that to happen to you.
Well, I think like most of the Goo's songs,it's like a big great "Fuck off" to the world. that's waht I really love about them, they can sing out their feelings but they also keep bombing our ears with questions about where society goes. I love them , they're seriously my favorite band, and this was their first song i ever heard, so I love it!
Ever notice no one coments on the older Goo stuff? Well, any way I love this song. I agree totally with boynamedgoo22. That they where thinking they were over with going 11 years without one hit, I know I would have given up.
johnny talking to himself again.........genius
I think the people before me explained the song in itself, but to me it is a song which I put on when I'm not happy whit myself: "Put my heavy coat on for a while It's freezing in the corner of my mind" and "i'm burnt out on some empty reasons" Then somehow, it makes me feel better - though the lyrics go the other way :) "Cuz I never heard a word you said now"
along with Acoustic #3 probably the most underrated goo goo dolls song one of my favorites haha and i do the same thing tugit :-)
cant believe there arent more comments on this, its the best song theyve written.
see i'd love to be you, at least then i'd see you. sorry i put them words in your mouth but you wouldnt talk to me.
possibly the finest lyrics ever written
I definitely agree with everyone else. I love everything from the lyrics to the beat. I personally feel this song is about not accomplishing your dreams. and the ain't that unusual is being sarcastic as if he knew he wouldnt succeed. Its about facing reality and realizing that you may not meet all your goals or dreams. It is bascially about not getting what you want whether its someone you want or a goal. "Everything I want I haven't got"... I also love the lines "Cuz all we are is what we're told and most of that's been lies" which are very true. and i know this is random but this song relates to the book death of a salesman bc i just read that for english and they just fit