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.
When I was baby, I looked like a pig
My nose a snout and my ears were too big
My mother would poke at the hole
At the back of my head where my brain was exposed
I didn't know it then but never again
Would recapture those wonderful days
When I was a baby, I fell down a well
I landed deep down in the furnace of hell
The devil would rock me to sleep
With stories of cities of ivory and gold
It took a long, long time before I could
Escape from that terrible hole
When I was a baby, I lived in a crib
I crawled on floors and ate with a bib
But then I was taken away
And was sold to the circus for trinkets and beads
Now I lie awake at night and dream about
What I would do if I was ever set free
My nose a snout and my ears were too big
My mother would poke at the hole
At the back of my head where my brain was exposed
I didn't know it then but never again
Would recapture those wonderful days
When I was a baby, I fell down a well
I landed deep down in the furnace of hell
The devil would rock me to sleep
With stories of cities of ivory and gold
It took a long, long time before I could
Escape from that terrible hole
When I was a baby, I lived in a crib
I crawled on floors and ate with a bib
But then I was taken away
And was sold to the circus for trinkets and beads
Now I lie awake at night and dream about
What I would do if I was ever set free
Lyrics submitted by Anderson_Council, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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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.
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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,
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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/
No way! This is one of Sam's songs! I had no idea. Ok, it would of been totally cool if they had played this at the Portland show (while touring with Belle and Sebastian) because Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss were hanging out backstage.