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.
Lately
I'm getting the impression that my baby
Is moving down to L.A.
For the big lights
Flashing and reflecting in her big eyes
And nothing here can make her stay
You're naming me high
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
So low life
B-movie producer and his big talk
Now don't you go buy into that
Cause sometimes
Things are gonna get tough and you know what
You're gonna have to get tough too
You're naming me high
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Oh come home, baby, baby
Just don't phone, baby, baby
You went and did it, you broke my heart
Oh oh, hold me now
Ah hey, hey, hey
Cause lately
I'm getting the impression that my baby
Is moving down to L.A.
For the big lights
Flashing and reflecting in her big eyes
And nothing here can make her stay
You're naming me high
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
I'm getting the impression that my baby
Is moving down to L.A.
For the big lights
Flashing and reflecting in her big eyes
And nothing here can make her stay
You're naming me high
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
So low life
B-movie producer and his big talk
Now don't you go buy into that
Cause sometimes
Things are gonna get tough and you know what
You're gonna have to get tough too
You're naming me high
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Oh come home, baby, baby
Just don't phone, baby, baby
You went and did it, you broke my heart
Oh oh, hold me now
Ah hey, hey, hey
Cause lately
I'm getting the impression that my baby
Is moving down to L.A.
For the big lights
Flashing and reflecting in her big eyes
And nothing here can make her stay
You're naming me high
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Everybody's gotta have plans
She said, everybody's gotta have plans
Cause I can't see you smiling, pumping gas
Lyrics submitted by snowiersmack
Plans Lyrics as written by Conor Deasy Ben Carrigan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
what a beautifull song.. the way i see it ... he got dumbed for some LA big shot producer with the nice car and and cash and all while he was still back home working at a gaz station and he wants her to come back home(hold,hold,hold, me now) love it
oh my god i had know idea about the line "B-movie producer and his big talk" thank you!
oh my god i had know idea about the line "B-movie producer and his big talk" thank you!