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.
I remember the way,
Driving home late,
Speeding all the way.
Alone in the rain.
I was rehearsing a part
From down at the bar.
My mouth smelled like a drink
We were laughing, I think,
I've been away.
I've been away.
I've been away.
Do you pick up the phone,
Do you check your mail,
Do you answer your door even if it's late?
I don't know who to call,
I don't know who to write,
And I think I forgot
What your face looks like.
I've been away.
I've been away.
I've been away.
Do you think that I've changed?
I swear I never tried.
Memory is a terrible thing.
When you use it right.
I was rehearsing a part
From down at the bar.
My mouth smelled like a drink.
We were laughing, I think,
I've been away.
I've been away.
I've been away.
Driving home late,
Speeding all the way.
Alone in the rain.
I was rehearsing a part
From down at the bar.
My mouth smelled like a drink
We were laughing, I think,
I've been away.
I've been away.
I've been away.
Do you pick up the phone,
Do you check your mail,
Do you answer your door even if it's late?
I don't know who to call,
I don't know who to write,
And I think I forgot
What your face looks like.
I've been away.
I've been away.
I've been away.
Do you think that I've changed?
I swear I never tried.
Memory is a terrible thing.
When you use it right.
I was rehearsing a part
From down at the bar.
My mouth smelled like a drink.
We were laughing, I think,
I've been away.
I've been away.
I've been away.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
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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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
"I remember the way, driving home late,"...she is on her way home late one night and she is remembering the way to someone's house, possibly thinking of how it would play out if she drove there right at that moment.
"I was rehearsing a part From down at the bar" probably means that the last time she saw this person she was trying to get up the nerve to say something.
"my mouth smelled like a drink, we were laughing i think" she was drunk so she either didnt get to say it or it came out sounding more like a joke so the person didnt take her seriously.
when she says "Do you pick up the phone Do you check your mail, Do you answer your door even if it's late?" she is wondering if he would've answered if she had called or wrote him. As she already stated, its late and she wonders if he would still come to the door at that hour and be okay with it.
When she says "I don't know who to call, I don't know who to write, And I think I forgot What your face looks like" it sounds like she doesn't feel close to anyone to call or write but she thinks of him so she mustve felt close to this person. And since she cant remember his face so well, she must've went away for a long time after they last saw each other.
Then she says "do you think i changed? i swear i never tried" She wonders if he would think she is different now. She sounds apologetic for if she did change. cuz if she changed, theres a chance he wouldnt see her the same anymore, perhaps not feel the same way about her as before. "memory is a terrible thing when you use it right" is my favourite line. what she means is that when someone meets up with you after a long time, they only know how you used to be so even if you changed just a lil, it might seem like a big change to them. this can work against someone, which kathleen seems to think is the case in her situation. she keeps repeating "ive been away" bringing this to be the focus of the song. this lyric helps divide the song in parts ; her memory of this place, wondering how it would play out if she contacted this person after so long, and lastly - that she has been gone a long time and is now back, so this returns us to the present which is her driving back from whatever took her away in the first place.i assume this would be her music career.just a guess though:P