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.
Stayed awake for fifteen hours
Waiting on your reply
So I came outside to kill my lungs
And to kiss the night goodbye
I thought about your favorite sweater
Now I'm wishing it was at our feet
If I could change one thing about you
I'd call you Annalise
'Cause it's better than Jen
Hey Annalise
Wont you come with me to Central Park?
We'll catch a cab or we could stray from wheels
And walk this whole town block
But you don't respond, you're gonna end up dull
Much like your parents are
Hey Annalise, don't you ever feel the need to leave?
That's me, that's me
Scared of what you people will think
Well, I'm your favorite second-rate singer
Holding out both my hands
I'm cursed with the voice of a kid
And pent up three word commands
So tie the rope, tap the brake, cause a scene
Whatever keeps me in control
Because these bones have grown tiresome
And they can't seem to hold my soul
My whole heart, it's a joke
Hey Annalise
Wont you cross my mind on a stampede ride?
Screw Hollywood
'Cause we've got better things to do than fake our lives
But you don't respond
You're gonna end up dull
So won't you give up your birthright?
Hey Annalise
Don't you ever feel the need to leave?
That's me, that's me
Scared of what you people will think
Well, I'm alone
And I want something real
Not a name
I just want something real
I want the girl who won't disappear
Oh, I can see her in dark and dull colors
But coming in clear
Here she comes
Here she comes
Here she comes-omes-omes-omes
And there she goes
Waiting on your reply
So I came outside to kill my lungs
And to kiss the night goodbye
I thought about your favorite sweater
Now I'm wishing it was at our feet
If I could change one thing about you
I'd call you Annalise
'Cause it's better than Jen
Hey Annalise
Wont you come with me to Central Park?
We'll catch a cab or we could stray from wheels
And walk this whole town block
But you don't respond, you're gonna end up dull
Much like your parents are
Hey Annalise, don't you ever feel the need to leave?
That's me, that's me
Scared of what you people will think
Well, I'm your favorite second-rate singer
Holding out both my hands
I'm cursed with the voice of a kid
And pent up three word commands
So tie the rope, tap the brake, cause a scene
Whatever keeps me in control
Because these bones have grown tiresome
And they can't seem to hold my soul
My whole heart, it's a joke
Hey Annalise
Wont you cross my mind on a stampede ride?
Screw Hollywood
'Cause we've got better things to do than fake our lives
But you don't respond
You're gonna end up dull
So won't you give up your birthright?
Hey Annalise
Don't you ever feel the need to leave?
That's me, that's me
Scared of what you people will think
Well, I'm alone
And I want something real
Not a name
I just want something real
I want the girl who won't disappear
Oh, I can see her in dark and dull colors
But coming in clear
Here she comes
Here she comes
Here she comes-omes-omes-omes
And there she goes
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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”
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.
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.
dissatisfaction. that's what this one is all about. He's not happy with his current relationship, or his legacy of music. (pent up commands, kid voice) He wants to say "screw it" and run away from caring, but he still feels tied to the world and worries about what other people will think. I love the end. I love the whole song, actually. I LOVE THE FORMAT. RIP. my favorite band forever.