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.
Roll the carpet and pour out the wine
Treat me like its your first valentine
'cause honey, baby, you've been on my mind
Like all of us who have waited for a time
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest
Who knows what I really will hear
What I really will say
What I really will feel
Who knows what you really will hear
What you really will say
What you really will feel
Wall the papers and call your friends
No longer do we have to pretend
'cause honey, baby, you've been on my mind
Like all of us who have waited for a time
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest
Who knows what I really will hear
What I really will say
What I really will feel
Who knows what you really will hear
What you really will say
What you really will feel
Quicken your beating drums and
Draw me some wildfires
[Repeat: x3]
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest
Who knows what I really will hear
What I really will say
What I really will feel
Who knows what you really will hear
What you really will say
What you really will feel
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest.
Treat me like its your first valentine
'cause honey, baby, you've been on my mind
Like all of us who have waited for a time
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest
Who knows what I really will hear
What I really will say
What I really will feel
Who knows what you really will hear
What you really will say
What you really will feel
Wall the papers and call your friends
No longer do we have to pretend
'cause honey, baby, you've been on my mind
Like all of us who have waited for a time
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest
Who knows what I really will hear
What I really will say
What I really will feel
Who knows what you really will hear
What you really will say
What you really will feel
Quicken your beating drums and
Draw me some wildfires
[Repeat: x3]
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest
Who knows what I really will hear
What I really will say
What I really will feel
Who knows what you really will hear
What you really will say
What you really will feel
I'm calling can you hear me
The angels will steer me
To your door, feel so sure
The night is the brightest.
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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.
Fast Car
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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.
Gentle Hour
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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.
Great version of a great song,
American Town
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I think she is hoping that if she puts her fate in nature's hands to bring her relationship back together it will happen and it will be even better, sweeter, and simpler than before - "Treat me like it's your first valentine"