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.
Stay with me
You're the one that I need
You make the hardest things
Seem easy
Keep my heart
Somewhere drugs don't go
Where the sun shines low
Always keep me close
If only you could see
The stranger next to me
You promise, you promise that you're done
But I can't tell you from the drugs
Don't let go
Dig a great big hole
Down an endless hole
We'll both go
You're so blind
You can't save me this time
Hope comes from inside
And I feel so low tonight
If only you could see
The stranger next to me
You promise, you promise that you're done
But I can't tell you from the drugs
I wish that you could see
This face in front of me
You're sorry, you swear it, you're done
But I can't tell you from the drugs
(Oh)
(Oh)
(Oh)
(Oh)
(Take me) I need your help
(So far away) to pull me up, take the pain
(Take me) out from me
(So far away) out from me
(Take me) if only you could see (I need your help)
(So far away) the stranger next to me (to pull me up take the pain)
(Take me) you promise, you promise that you're done (out from me)
(So far away) but I can't tell you from the drugs (out from me)
(Take me) I wish that you could see (I need your help)
(So far away) this face in front of me (to pull me up take the pain)
(Take me) you're sorry, you swear it, you're done (out from me)
(So far away) but I can't tell you from the drugs (out from me)
Keep my heart
Somewhere drugs don't go
Where the sun shines low
Always keep me close
You're the one that I need
You make the hardest things
Seem easy
Keep my heart
Somewhere drugs don't go
Where the sun shines low
Always keep me close
If only you could see
The stranger next to me
You promise, you promise that you're done
But I can't tell you from the drugs
Don't let go
Dig a great big hole
Down an endless hole
We'll both go
You're so blind
You can't save me this time
Hope comes from inside
And I feel so low tonight
If only you could see
The stranger next to me
You promise, you promise that you're done
But I can't tell you from the drugs
I wish that you could see
This face in front of me
You're sorry, you swear it, you're done
But I can't tell you from the drugs
(Oh)
(Oh)
(Oh)
(Oh)
(Take me) I need your help
(So far away) to pull me up, take the pain
(Take me) out from me
(So far away) out from me
(Take me) if only you could see (I need your help)
(So far away) the stranger next to me (to pull me up take the pain)
(Take me) you promise, you promise that you're done (out from me)
(So far away) but I can't tell you from the drugs (out from me)
(Take me) I wish that you could see (I need your help)
(So far away) this face in front of me (to pull me up take the pain)
(Take me) you're sorry, you swear it, you're done (out from me)
(So far away) but I can't tell you from the drugs (out from me)
Keep my heart
Somewhere drugs don't go
Where the sun shines low
Always keep me close
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
Ok, here are the CORRECT lyrics and the meaning to me. I labeled each section with a number to make it easier to locate each specific meaning.
1. Stay with me You're the one that I need You make the hardest things Seem easy
2. Keep my heart Somewhere drugs don't go Where the sun shine slows Always keep me close
3. If only you could see The stranger next to me You promise you promise that you're done But i can't tell you from the drugs
4. Don't let go We'll dig a great big hole Down an endless hole Will both go
5. You're so blind You can't save me this time Hope comes from inside And I feel so low tonight
6. If only you could see The stranger next to me You promise you promise that you're done But I can't tell you from the drugs
7. I wish you could see This face in front of me You'r sorry swear it you're done But I can't tell you from the drugs
8. (take me) I need your hand (so far away) To pull me up take the wheel (take me) Out from me (so far) Out from me
9. (Take me) If only you could see (I need your hand) (So far away) The stranger next to me (To pull me up take the wheel) (Take me) You promise you promise that your done (Out from me) (So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me)
10. (Take me) I wish that you could see (I need your hand) (So far away) This face in front of me (To pull me up take the wheel) (Take me) You'r sorry you swear it your done (Out from me) (So far away) But I can't tell you from the drugs (Out from me)
11. Keep my heart somewhere drugs don't go Where the sun shine slows always keep me close
MEANING:
section 1: He doesn't want this person to be on drugs because he loves them.
section 2: He doesn't want to be in a place where drugs are, he wants to be in a beautiful place instead.
section 3: He wishes the person could see how they are while on drugs so they could see how bad they become. The person is two different people (on drugs, and off drugs) and he can't tell who is who even when the person is not doing drugs.
section 4: He wants to be with this person forever, so he doesn't want them to start doing drugs again. If the person continues to do drugs they'll both go down.
section 5: The person is so out-of-it from doing drugs that they can't help him feel better.
section 6: (same as section 3)
section 7: The person becomes a totally different person from the drugs and they don't see it. They apologize all the time but they don't realize the bad things they've done.
section 8: He needs the person to be clean again, to help him as a friend again.
sections 9,10,11: (same as above)