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.
Standing at the bus stop with my shopping
In my hands when I'm overhearing elder
Ladies as the rumors start to fly you can
Hear them in the school yard, in the scrap yard
In the chip shop, in the phone box, in the pool hall at
The shoe stall every corner turned around
It started with a school girl who was
Running running home to her mam and
Dad told them she was playing in the
Change room of her local football side they
Said tell us again so she told them again
They said tell us the truth they found it hard
To believe 'cause he taught our Steve he
Even trained me taught uncle john who's
Father of three
But it only takes one tree to make
A thousand matches
Only takes one match to burn
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
You see it in the class room in the
Swimming pool where the matchstick men
Are made at the scouts hall at the football
Where the wise we trust are paid they all
Honor his name he did a lot for the game
He got his name knocked up above the
Sports ground gates but now they are
Ripping them down stamping the ground
Picture gathers dust behind the bar in the
Lounge it takes one tree to make
A thousand matches
Only takes one match to burn
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
Wake up and smell the rain shake up he's
Back to stay he hasn't been on a holiday
His growing seeds don't believe why he's
Been away in the school yard change room
Playing fields bathroom phone box office
Blocks corner turned around they keep
Doubting the flame tossing the blame got
His name knocked up above the sports
Ground gates but now they're
Ripping them down stamping the ground
Picture gathers dust in the bar in the
Lounge it takes one tree to make
A thousand matches
Only takes one match to burn
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
In my hands when I'm overhearing elder
Ladies as the rumors start to fly you can
Hear them in the school yard, in the scrap yard
In the chip shop, in the phone box, in the pool hall at
The shoe stall every corner turned around
It started with a school girl who was
Running running home to her mam and
Dad told them she was playing in the
Change room of her local football side they
Said tell us again so she told them again
They said tell us the truth they found it hard
To believe 'cause he taught our Steve he
Even trained me taught uncle john who's
Father of three
But it only takes one tree to make
A thousand matches
Only takes one match to burn
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
You see it in the class room in the
Swimming pool where the matchstick men
Are made at the scouts hall at the football
Where the wise we trust are paid they all
Honor his name he did a lot for the game
He got his name knocked up above the
Sports ground gates but now they are
Ripping them down stamping the ground
Picture gathers dust behind the bar in the
Lounge it takes one tree to make
A thousand matches
Only takes one match to burn
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
Wake up and smell the rain shake up he's
Back to stay he hasn't been on a holiday
His growing seeds don't believe why he's
Been away in the school yard change room
Playing fields bathroom phone box office
Blocks corner turned around they keep
Doubting the flame tossing the blame got
His name knocked up above the sports
Ground gates but now they're
Ripping them down stamping the ground
Picture gathers dust in the bar in the
Lounge it takes one tree to make
A thousand matches
Only takes one match to burn
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
A thousand trees
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
(sorry for duplication, but I posted a reply and not a comment, being new! oops! :-0)
I love the double meaning of the line 'his growing seeds don't believe why he's been away' ie the seeds in the containers are like the kids; needing nourishment and care and attention in order to grow and develop. They in their innocence don't believe why he's been away, since they are oblivious to the more serious issues that they don't fully understand or aren't aware of, having more basic needs.
I agree that the emphasis in the song is more about the rumour, partly because the incident is merely alluded to. I think it's interesting that a lot of the comments mention the abuse as if it's true, which kind of mirrors the sense of the tendency of people to gossip without knowing the facts. It's a shame that the accused loses his innocent name whether he is guilty or not, which of course the song can't tell us.
I like the use of the word 'match', since it both represents the start of a rumour, which can cause much destruction - and the playing fields where a football match is played, a possible breeding ground for gossip and group-think. Also, the match burning a thousand trees could be to do with how abuse itself causes many wide-reaching and terrible consequences, such as loss of faith in authority, innocence and relationships; breeds suspicion and mistrust, negative emotions such as shame and guilt - and even abuse itself.
The writer(s) are clearly lamenting the small town mentalities which give rise to the damaging effects of rumour and hearsay. It is sad not just how a reputation can hang on a thread, but how the collective reality of a community can be on shaky foundations; and that more often than not, people will scapegoat an outsider, an oddball, the falsely accused, or any other unfortunate victim who upsets the prevailing belief in what's right, truthful or the norm. Truth can be the casualty and pretentiousness wins.
Having said all that, this song rocks and sounds cool loud!