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.
Raise your glasses please into a toast
For we are many hometown ghosts.
Let it spill all over the floor.
What the hell are you saving it for?
On June, July, August, September.
Let's drink 'em all, I don't want to remember.
These have been the best years of our lives.
It's a shame my dear,
There's no room for lost years.
So we're leaving, we're leaving tonight.
You look lovely lying wasted on your bed,
Staring at a photograph of you and your best friend.
They said make a cross over your hearts,
And we'll swear we'll never drift apart.
It's a shame my dear,
To be leaving you here.
But we're leaving, we're leaving tonight.
Oh my heroes, my brothers, where have you gone?
There is something in the air, something is wrong.
Where is my father, my mother, my sister, my lover?
Have you all gone over to the other side?
It's a shame my dears,
There's no room for me here.
So I'm leaving, I'm leaving tonight.
For we are many hometown ghosts.
Let it spill all over the floor.
What the hell are you saving it for?
On June, July, August, September.
Let's drink 'em all, I don't want to remember.
These have been the best years of our lives.
It's a shame my dear,
There's no room for lost years.
So we're leaving, we're leaving tonight.
You look lovely lying wasted on your bed,
Staring at a photograph of you and your best friend.
They said make a cross over your hearts,
And we'll swear we'll never drift apart.
It's a shame my dear,
To be leaving you here.
But we're leaving, we're leaving tonight.
Oh my heroes, my brothers, where have you gone?
There is something in the air, something is wrong.
Where is my father, my mother, my sister, my lover?
Have you all gone over to the other side?
It's a shame my dears,
There's no room for me here.
So I'm leaving, I'm leaving tonight.
Lyrics submitted by zyzzyva
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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.
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"'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/
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I think it's about coming back to your hometown, or to the place you used to spend holiday and you see that everything has changed, people are gone in other places, others are dead and you are no longer a person but a shadow ('hometown ghosts') - you remember your friends and how you were always thinking you'd never go seperate ways...so the only thing to do is to drink for all those best years that are in the past...great songs! I have many in commons with the lyrics actually
why didn't anyone posted something yet??? It's one of the best songs of the album... so cool!!!
Desde mi punto de vista, todo el "How it Ends" es relacionado a un tema que se va narrando desde You Love me... Como todo el disco, esta canción está muy pero muy puerca....y coincido con Peste, es una de las mejores del album....
So full of energy!
I think it's about death... The guy is going to die tonight... It's pretty awesome how DevotchKa make such a sad thing sound so happy
isn't it just about leaving a place because you've outgrown it? all the songs on the album seem to be about death...it would make sense if it were about a guy looking back over his 'irish style' drinking funeral