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.
Open minds
And open skies
All dolled up
And can’t place why
They were burning through the heat
And the heat burned through the sky
Ever since they were young
Two things were never spared
Summer time was theirs
And there was no time left to care
Let it breath
Take your shoes off
Live and dangerous
Something splendorous
A reckless summer
Is a glorious mess
Whole journey got to be an uptown odyssey
Now they thought
The right price
Would buy them anything
But seasons change
And oceans rage
And life ain’t as cheap as it seems
In the months
Their innocence began to fade
They were 17 years old
Felt like bird let out of a cage
Live and dangerous
Something splendorous
A reckless summer
Is a glorious mess
Whole journey got to be an uptown odyssey
When they hit the city
Thought like they had seen it all
There were people moving everywhere
And the buildings standing tall
Black and white
Frames so bright
Now in color dark as night
Like dreaming through your sleep
Or waking and your flying
Live and dangerous
Something splendorous
A reckless summer
Is a glorious mess
Whole journey got to be an uptown odyssey
And open skies
All dolled up
And can’t place why
They were burning through the heat
And the heat burned through the sky
Ever since they were young
Two things were never spared
Summer time was theirs
And there was no time left to care
Let it breath
Take your shoes off
Live and dangerous
Something splendorous
A reckless summer
Is a glorious mess
Whole journey got to be an uptown odyssey
Now they thought
The right price
Would buy them anything
But seasons change
And oceans rage
And life ain’t as cheap as it seems
In the months
Their innocence began to fade
They were 17 years old
Felt like bird let out of a cage
Live and dangerous
Something splendorous
A reckless summer
Is a glorious mess
Whole journey got to be an uptown odyssey
When they hit the city
Thought like they had seen it all
There were people moving everywhere
And the buildings standing tall
Black and white
Frames so bright
Now in color dark as night
Like dreaming through your sleep
Or waking and your flying
Live and dangerous
Something splendorous
A reckless summer
Is a glorious mess
Whole journey got to be an uptown odyssey
Lyrics submitted by moooojo
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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,
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/