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.
Got out of town on a boat for the southern islands
On a reach before a following sea
We were making for the trades on the outside
On the downhill run to Papeete
On this headed off wing lie the Marquesas
We got eighty feet of waterline nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
But on the midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away
Think about (think about) how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices calling
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
I have been around the world
Looking for that woman, girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
You know it will
When you seen the southern cross for the first time
You understand just why you came this way
'Cause the truth you've be running from is so small
But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a coming day
And I'm heading all the way, my dreams are dying
And my love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flying
She is all I have left and music is her name
Think about (think about) how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices calling
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
I have been around (I have been around)the world
Looking, looking, looking for that woman, girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
You know it will
So we cheated and we tried and we tested
And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody strong comes along, makes me forget, forget about loving you
And the southern cross
Woo, yeah
(Thank you)
(Not only are we, uh, happy to see y'all)
(Thirty-five thousand, two hundred, twenty-five of you out there tonight)
(We appreciate this)
(We also are broadcasting this tonight live on Radio Margaritaville)
(As we do all of our shows, free of charge, tonight)
(And we'll continue to do so all summer)
(So it's not only going out to Wisconsin and the great Midwest)
(We're going around the world tonight, Parrot Head)
(I wish I had a pencil dent)
On a reach before a following sea
We were making for the trades on the outside
On the downhill run to Papeete
On this headed off wing lie the Marquesas
We got eighty feet of waterline nicely making way
In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
But on the midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away
Think about (think about) how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices calling
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
I have been around the world
Looking for that woman, girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
You know it will
When you seen the southern cross for the first time
You understand just why you came this way
'Cause the truth you've be running from is so small
But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a coming day
And I'm heading all the way, my dreams are dying
And my love is an anchor tied to you, tied with a silver chain
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flying
She is all I have left and music is her name
Think about (think about) how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me, larger voices calling
What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten
I have been around (I have been around)the world
Looking, looking, looking for that woman, girl
Who knows love can endure
And you know it will
You know it will
So we cheated and we tried and we tested
And we never failed to fail, it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody strong comes along, makes me forget, forget about loving you
And the southern cross
Woo, yeah
(Thank you)
(Not only are we, uh, happy to see y'all)
(Thirty-five thousand, two hundred, twenty-five of you out there tonight)
(We appreciate this)
(We also are broadcasting this tonight live on Radio Margaritaville)
(As we do all of our shows, free of charge, tonight)
(And we'll continue to do so all summer)
(So it's not only going out to Wisconsin and the great Midwest)
(We're going around the world tonight, Parrot Head)
(I wish I had a pencil dent)
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
No one's commented on this song? It's one of my favorites! This and Far Side of the World. Makes me want to travel.