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.
Won't you come over and stay for a while?
Take a seat, have a drink, we'd have a nice time.
Turn on the TV I believe it's prime time.
I'll make you chicken cacciatore in five.
There's a woman down at 314
Who can't keep the stains on her kitchen floor clean.
And there's a man who's been knockin' on his door
For three years, or has it been four?
I don't wanna spend the winter in this house all alone.
Those neighbors of mine keep coming on over and playing with my mind.
I would like to love you,
I sure would treat you right.
We could take the trash out
Every Thursday night.
Here in my neighborhood there is the strangest thing -
Green buckets every Friday at every driveway.
They're filled with glasses, plastics, and newspapers, too.
They say they recycle and bring them back to you.
I would like to love you,
I sure would treat you right.
We could take the trash out
Every Thursday night.
We could be a family,
Consume many goods.
We could be the pillars
Of the neighborhood.
Ah babe, I'm a real hard worker
With the proper tools, I'll make you anything you yearn for.
The barbarians are at the gate,
Come in before it's too late.
I have food enough to last the two of us about a year.
A thousand cans of chowder and a thousand cans of beer.
I love my neighbors like I love my own brothers,
But every year they're getting odder and odder.
I would like to love you,
I sure would treat you right.
We could take the trash out
Every Thursday night.
We could be a family,
Consume many goods.
We could be the pillars
Of the neighborhood.
Take a seat, have a drink, we'd have a nice time.
Turn on the TV I believe it's prime time.
I'll make you chicken cacciatore in five.
There's a woman down at 314
Who can't keep the stains on her kitchen floor clean.
And there's a man who's been knockin' on his door
For three years, or has it been four?
I don't wanna spend the winter in this house all alone.
Those neighbors of mine keep coming on over and playing with my mind.
I would like to love you,
I sure would treat you right.
We could take the trash out
Every Thursday night.
Here in my neighborhood there is the strangest thing -
Green buckets every Friday at every driveway.
They're filled with glasses, plastics, and newspapers, too.
They say they recycle and bring them back to you.
I would like to love you,
I sure would treat you right.
We could take the trash out
Every Thursday night.
We could be a family,
Consume many goods.
We could be the pillars
Of the neighborhood.
Ah babe, I'm a real hard worker
With the proper tools, I'll make you anything you yearn for.
The barbarians are at the gate,
Come in before it's too late.
I have food enough to last the two of us about a year.
A thousand cans of chowder and a thousand cans of beer.
I love my neighbors like I love my own brothers,
But every year they're getting odder and odder.
I would like to love you,
I sure would treat you right.
We could take the trash out
Every Thursday night.
We could be a family,
Consume many goods.
We could be the pillars
Of the neighborhood.
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Light Up The Sky
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@[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.
Mountain Song
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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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
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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'
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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 can't tell if it really is a love song, or if it's more of a commentary on the rituals of suburban life (focusing on taking the trash and recycling out). They also talk about watching all the prime time TV, keeping hoards of canned goods, etc. in a way that sounds kind of mocking.
Anyone figure out the part with "And there's a man who's been knockin' on his door/for three years, or has it been four?"
I love this song. Trying to convince the girl he likes, he is the man for her.
Well, I do agree with Sailing... but it seems to me that the narrator is thinking of himself more than the girl (we'll assume gender). He's noticed his quirky neighbors in the second stanza and into the following snippet acknowledged his need for companionship to keep the absurdity of mundane life at bay; the rest of the song supports this statement. Between stanzas of romancing his intended are impressions of a cyclical world (the green buckets) and the "barbarians" attempting to pull him into the mix.
Though maybe rather than staving it off, the narrator only wishes companionship for the duration? This seems likely due to his willingness to join as "pillars of the neighborhood" and so on.
I'd say he's just raggin' on the "ideal" suburban lifestyle. Clutch has done this in other songs, namely "Let A Poor Man Be," and "Opossum Minister."
It's about a guy who believes that preparing for a complete breakdown of social order will improve his mating chances. If you're a female who wants the security of a suburban lifestyle, this guy is so prepared, he's like the boy scout of preparedness.