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.
Mis-shapes, mistakes, misfits
Raised on a diet of broken biscuits
Oh, we don't look the same as you
We don't do the things you do
But we live around here too
Oh, really
Mis-shapes, mistakes, misfits
We'd like to go to town but we can't risk it
Oh, 'cause they just want to keep us out
You could end up with a smack in the mouth
Just for standing out
Oh, really
Brothers, sisters, can't you see?
The future's owned by you and me
There won't be fighting in the street
They think they've got us beat
But revenge is going to be so sweet
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the side-lines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds
Check your lucky numbers
That much money could drag you under, oh
What's the point of being rich if you can't think what to do with it?
'Cause you're so very thick
Oh, we weren't supposed to be
We learnt too much at school now we can't help but see
That the future that you've got mapped out
Is nothing much to shout about
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the side-lines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds
[break]
Brothers, sisters, can't you see?
The future's owned by you and me
There won't be fighting in the street
They think they've got us beat
But revenge is going to be so sweet
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the side-lines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds
And that's our minds, yeah
Raised on a diet of broken biscuits
Oh, we don't look the same as you
We don't do the things you do
But we live around here too
Oh, really
Mis-shapes, mistakes, misfits
We'd like to go to town but we can't risk it
Oh, 'cause they just want to keep us out
You could end up with a smack in the mouth
Just for standing out
Oh, really
Brothers, sisters, can't you see?
The future's owned by you and me
There won't be fighting in the street
They think they've got us beat
But revenge is going to be so sweet
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the side-lines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds
Check your lucky numbers
That much money could drag you under, oh
What's the point of being rich if you can't think what to do with it?
'Cause you're so very thick
Oh, we weren't supposed to be
We learnt too much at school now we can't help but see
That the future that you've got mapped out
Is nothing much to shout about
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the side-lines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds
[break]
Brothers, sisters, can't you see?
The future's owned by you and me
There won't be fighting in the street
They think they've got us beat
But revenge is going to be so sweet
We're making a move, we're making it now
We're coming out of the side-lines
Just put your hands up, it's a raid, yeah
We want your homes, we want your lives
We want the things you won't allow us
We won't use guns, we won't use bombs
We'll use the one thing we've got more of, that's our minds
And that's our minds, yeah
Lyrics submitted by m3gsi
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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.
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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/
Plastic Bag
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“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.
yeah, you should. All right for those of you who have heard it, which version is better?