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.
This town is full of monsters
Holding hands with other monsters
And attempting to be human beings
Shuffling around the shops
And waving at balloons
This town is full of monsters
Sitting on park benches
Eating little packets of Sultanas
Licking chocolate off their chubby little fingers
And I don't know why
It is they scare me but they do
And the thing that really frightens me
Is that all my friends from school
Are turning into monsters
Picking patterns out for curtains
Making friends with all the other monsters
Pushing little baby monsters
Around the shops in prams
This town is full of monsters
Peeping out from under parked cars
In multi-storey car park
Evil little eyes like fairy lights
Blinking in the dark
This town is full of monsters
Making out with other monsters
Picking sweet corn out of their teeth
Dipping pissy little fingers
In the pick 'n' mix
And I don't even know why
It is it scares me but it does
And the thing that really frightens me
Is that the people I used to love
Are turning into monsters
Getting married having babies
Telling me how great their life is
And how happy I would be if I could
Just be more like them
Holding hands with other monsters
And attempting to be human beings
Shuffling around the shops
And waving at balloons
This town is full of monsters
Sitting on park benches
Eating little packets of Sultanas
Licking chocolate off their chubby little fingers
And I don't know why
It is they scare me but they do
And the thing that really frightens me
Is that all my friends from school
Are turning into monsters
Picking patterns out for curtains
Making friends with all the other monsters
Pushing little baby monsters
Around the shops in prams
This town is full of monsters
Peeping out from under parked cars
In multi-storey car park
Evil little eyes like fairy lights
Blinking in the dark
This town is full of monsters
Making out with other monsters
Picking sweet corn out of their teeth
Dipping pissy little fingers
In the pick 'n' mix
And I don't even know why
It is it scares me but it does
And the thing that really frightens me
Is that the people I used to love
Are turning into monsters
Getting married having babies
Telling me how great their life is
And how happy I would be if I could
Just be more like them
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
So there are adults .. being adults and families with children and this scares him, that idea of growing up. i adore this song. And i think the last line sums up the song pretty well. The thought that if he were to grow up and join them, he wouldn't be scared anymore, but rather happy...
I took it as the other people are telling him how happy he'd be if he grew up. Not him saying that.
Yeah, I think it's NOT him saying that. There are people growing up and being adults (or the harsher way of putting it would be "conforming") and he doesn't really blame them for doing that because they are just "attempting to be human beings" but he does blame them for "Telling me how great their life is/ And how happy I would be if I could/ Just be more like them ".
Anyway, this is one of my favourite The Boy Least Likely To songs.
I think you guys have got it. People around him are changing. Growing up too fast, maybe. He just wants to keep his innocence. I love the child-like charm on The Best Party Ever. Definitely one of their best songs.
Actually the band told me that this song is about the crazy town they grew up in, and the people in it. That could probably be interlinked with what you all said.
Hahaha, I love this song.
On the CD he says, "And pretending to be human beings." Which sort of messes with some of your "meanings".
I think there's an existencialist twist behind this song. It's not just about growing up, but being part of the system, being part of the crowd. It's about people giving more importance to things than to living ("picking patterns out for curtains"). Sad thing is that everyone eventually will turn into one of these money-hungry, consumerist "monsters".
good job paris! i agree :)
I thought this song was about halloween.