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 whole country is scared of failure.
My head keeps trying to sell me ambition.
But in my heart, I want self-respect.
There's a conflict.
Boy, I feel so outgunned today
But I'll get up and fight back, anyway
You and I are not huge mainstream stars
But unlike them, we're really what we are
We got Main Street eyes
Watchin' as the big boys roll by
Under rotten television skies
We got Main Street eyes
I saw a kitten squashed in the street
I read about a plastic surgeon and his art collection.
We are played for suckers all the time
Phony rock and roll
It's a crime
I don't want to dip myself in trash
I don't want to give myself for cash
We got Main Street eyes
Tryin' to do what's decent with our lives
Under funny television skies
We got Main Street eyes
Walkin' around sometimes
I see a tension under the surface
People are just about ready to explode.
So hold me, and trust me
I love you, don't worry.
Keep your Main Street eyes [Repeat: x3]
Eyes
Eyes
My head keeps trying to sell me ambition.
But in my heart, I want self-respect.
There's a conflict.
Boy, I feel so outgunned today
But I'll get up and fight back, anyway
You and I are not huge mainstream stars
But unlike them, we're really what we are
We got Main Street eyes
Watchin' as the big boys roll by
Under rotten television skies
We got Main Street eyes
I saw a kitten squashed in the street
I read about a plastic surgeon and his art collection.
We are played for suckers all the time
Phony rock and roll
It's a crime
I don't want to dip myself in trash
I don't want to give myself for cash
We got Main Street eyes
Tryin' to do what's decent with our lives
Under funny television skies
We got Main Street eyes
Walkin' around sometimes
I see a tension under the surface
People are just about ready to explode.
So hold me, and trust me
I love you, don't worry.
Keep your Main Street eyes [Repeat: x3]
Eyes
Eyes
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
This is one of my favourite Iggy Pop solo tracks.
I think the song is about ordinary people who lead ordinary lives, but they are constantly getting mind "fuc ked" by television programs and celebrities.
"We are played for suckers all the time Phony rock and roll It's a crime I don't want to dip myself in trash I don't want to give myself for cash"
This could mean that the ordinary person is a sucker, being sold somekind of false dream. He does not want to be a sell-out who would do anything for cash.
"We got Main Street eyes Tryin' to do what's decent with our lives"
The masses do their best to lead decent lives, but they als have eyes on the mainstream.
"Walkin' around sometimes I see a tension under the surface People are just about ready to explode."
This line could be about life in the city. I remember Trevanian wrote "you see fear and fury in the faces of city dwellers". Iggy could be talking about the same thing.
"You and I aare not huge mainstream stars But unlike them, we're really what we are"
Iggy trying to say that mainstream rock stars and celebrities are just putting up a big act?
"Boy, I feel so outgunned today But I'll get up and fight back, anyway"
Its like when you watch TV or read a newspaper and you feel that everyone else is better off than you are. But you just want to keep trying, despite knowing deep in your heart that nothing good will come out of it.