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.
Did you ever want to be overrun by bandits
To hand over all of your things and start over new
While we were out hunting for food
Our house was being robbed
I caught an apple and she caught a fox
So I caught a rabbit but she caught an ox
So upon our return we found everything gone
Which for us was no loss
We started over with a rabbit and an ox
So they came down from the north
Carrying all they owned
With a basket full of food and clothes
They were stopped by a weekend raid
Traveling the woods one day
Tried to put up a fight but lost
So we asked for them to stay
With us on their way
To have a drink and rest
And regain their strength
Did you ever want to run around with bandits
To see many places and hide in ditches
It's not always easy, it's not always easy
When the winter comes and the greenery goes
We will make some shelter
When the winter comes and the greenery goes
We will make some shelter
To hand over all of your things and start over new
While we were out hunting for food
Our house was being robbed
I caught an apple and she caught a fox
So I caught a rabbit but she caught an ox
So upon our return we found everything gone
Which for us was no loss
We started over with a rabbit and an ox
So they came down from the north
Carrying all they owned
With a basket full of food and clothes
They were stopped by a weekend raid
Traveling the woods one day
Tried to put up a fight but lost
So we asked for them to stay
With us on their way
To have a drink and rest
And regain their strength
Did you ever want to run around with bandits
To see many places and hide in ditches
It's not always easy, it's not always easy
When the winter comes and the greenery goes
We will make some shelter
When the winter comes and the greenery goes
We will make some shelter
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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"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.
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.
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,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
This is A-class, it makes me shiver every time I hear it. The last lines are just so... Pure?