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 would go to pieces if you said that this was just an act
To come and take the sleep out of my night
And I would go to pieces if you said that this was just an act
To come and take the shine out of my life
Oh and I go through it all
Oh it's a thing like habit, I know
I would be a fighter for a tiny piece of a tiny feeling
Give it up to wonder what it's worth
And I would feel much bigger for the little joy that you get from stealing
I never really wonder what it's worth
Oh and I am dead and gone
Oh you will feel much older, I know
I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would be complete if you could put me down in facts and figures
The hardest things are always black and white
And I would be complete if you could touch me once but it never figures
The easy things are never really right
Oh and I go day by day, oh it's a thing to live for, I know
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
Why don't you take a walk outside and see the mess I made
And see the mess I made
And I will be waiting with a knife just like an angry child
Just like an angry child
And why don't you go spread the word just like some disease
Just like some disease
I know your mother told you that you are God
But you are just a Boy
I would be much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, and I miss you
To come and take the sleep out of my night
And I would go to pieces if you said that this was just an act
To come and take the shine out of my life
Oh and I go through it all
Oh it's a thing like habit, I know
I would be a fighter for a tiny piece of a tiny feeling
Give it up to wonder what it's worth
And I would feel much bigger for the little joy that you get from stealing
I never really wonder what it's worth
Oh and I am dead and gone
Oh you will feel much older, I know
I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would be complete if you could put me down in facts and figures
The hardest things are always black and white
And I would be complete if you could touch me once but it never figures
The easy things are never really right
Oh and I go day by day, oh it's a thing to live for, I know
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought I fill any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
Why don't you take a walk outside and see the mess I made
And see the mess I made
And I will be waiting with a knife just like an angry child
Just like an angry child
And why don't you go spread the word just like some disease
Just like some disease
I know your mother told you that you are God
But you are just a Boy
I would be much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, oh
And I would feel much better if I thought there was any other reason
To keep away the beauty from the dirt
And I would do much better if I thought there was any other need
And I miss you, oh
And I miss you, and I miss you
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"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
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Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
This is my favorite Voxtrot song as well.
I love rockin' out to this song...