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.
Whatever makes you tired the resting always fails
'Cos anywhere you lay yourself's a bed of nails
Whatever you exhale I breathe it in the end
You offer me a seat in your electric chair
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
Every day you ask yourself, "Why was I born?"
'Cos every migrane feels like wearing a crown of thorns
And all the time I find you crawling on all fours
'Cos any movement sends you falling through trap doors
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
No tongue in cheek
To late it's already days and weeks
Before we can make ends meet
Am I right and you're wrong?
Too late it already takes too long
Too much to be flushed with you
Oh
Too much to be flushed with you
Whatever makes you tired the resting always fails
'Cos anywhere you lay yourself's a bed of nails
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
You know better than I do
So clue me in
You know better than I do
So clue me in
'Cos anywhere you lay yourself's a bed of nails
Whatever you exhale I breathe it in the end
You offer me a seat in your electric chair
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
Every day you ask yourself, "Why was I born?"
'Cos every migrane feels like wearing a crown of thorns
And all the time I find you crawling on all fours
'Cos any movement sends you falling through trap doors
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
No tongue in cheek
To late it's already days and weeks
Before we can make ends meet
Am I right and you're wrong?
Too late it already takes too long
Too much to be flushed with you
Oh
Too much to be flushed with you
Whatever makes you tired the resting always fails
'Cos anywhere you lay yourself's a bed of nails
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
Are you safe to leave behind
Every anchor in your mind
You know better than I do
So clue me in
You know better than I do
So clue me in
You know better than I do
So clue me in
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Oh my god, first comment :) before I got the sack I used to listen to this song everyday, and it reminded me of how sucky my job was but it helped knowing that someone else out there wasn't happy with their life. "Whatever makes you tired the resting always fails" was THE definition of my crappy job lol.