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.
Alright!
Hey, are we ready?
Well I'm a mean machine, I'm the kind you don't want to meet
My middle name is trouble, I'm a danger in the street
My motor's in overdrive, my pedal's to the floor
I never get enough, I'm always comin' back for more
Here I come, better step aside
I said here I come, oh yeah, well I'm a-comin' at you live
I'm comin' atcha live
The only one you want, I never give a warning twice
Well anything could happen like the rollin' of the dice
Here we come, you better step aside
I said here we come, we're comin' at you live
Comin' at you live, we're comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, you better step aside
Comin' at you live, ow! ow!
Comin' at you live, we're comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, you better step aside
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, step aside, step aside
Comin' at you live, cause here we come
Truckin', I'm a-goin' home, whoa whoa, baby, back where I belong
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin' on
What in the hell ever happened to sweet Jane?
She's lost her marbles, you know the chick ain't the same
Livin' on reds, and vitamin see, and cocaine
All the friend can say is "ain't it a bitch"
Busted down on Bourbon Street, set up like a bowlin' pin
Knocked down, sometimes I'm wearin' thin, th
Hey, are we ready?
Well I'm a mean machine, I'm the kind you don't want to meet
My middle name is trouble, I'm a danger in the street
My motor's in overdrive, my pedal's to the floor
I never get enough, I'm always comin' back for more
Here I come, better step aside
I said here I come, oh yeah, well I'm a-comin' at you live
I'm comin' atcha live
The only one you want, I never give a warning twice
Well anything could happen like the rollin' of the dice
Here we come, you better step aside
I said here we come, we're comin' at you live
Comin' at you live, we're comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, you better step aside
Comin' at you live, ow! ow!
Comin' at you live, we're comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, you better step aside
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, comin' atcha live
Comin' at you live, step aside, step aside
Comin' at you live, cause here we come
Truckin', I'm a-goin' home, whoa whoa, baby, back where I belong
Back home, sit down and patch my bones, and get back truckin' on
What in the hell ever happened to sweet Jane?
She's lost her marbles, you know the chick ain't the same
Livin' on reds, and vitamin see, and cocaine
All the friend can say is "ain't it a bitch"
Busted down on Bourbon Street, set up like a bowlin' pin
Knocked down, sometimes I'm wearin' thin, th
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Sick ass drum and guitar solos in this song. Loved rocking to this song in vice city and even now it stacks up as one of the best tesla songs. Did anybody else notice this songs intro's similarity to eruption?
Awesome song. I think the message is I'm a badass so watch out!
This has to be the best song ever made by Tesla!