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.
The tide came in and nearly buried us here
but we saw things like they wouldn't believe
you hear a lot of stories about love and romance
but i swear nothing quite like you and me
and every scar sits like a marker
every line on the face is a small souvenir
of all the places be they good or be they bad
that we stopped into on the journey to here
so maybe i lost my sense of direction
but im alright now
every man needs a little affection
and im alright now
and there were times when yes alright i confess
i did things of which i am not proud
everybody wades through the same coloured shit
but it doesn't drag everyone down
and i was stupid i was insensitive
i was all the things i promised i never would be
ive seen a lot of foolish behaviour in my time
but tell you they've got nothing on me
so maybe i lost my sense of direction
but i'm alright now
every man needs a little affection
so im alright now
give me strength give me something to believe in
and im alright now
sing along when your hearts finished bleeding
yes im alright now
another evening of sublime self-destruction
to the tune of 1000 cigarettes
where every nail thats hammered into your spirit
well it wasn't able to sink you just yet
and television is just some weak anesthetic
to numb the senses til you're out like a light
like all these drugs they seem to promise you the earth
but then they dont keep you warm in the night
so maybe i lost my sense of direction
but im alright now
every man needs a little affection
so im alright now
give me strength give me something to believe in
and im alright now
sing along when your hearts finished bleeding
yes im alright now
its like i cannot sleep for dreaming
this is everything i could have possibly hoped it would be
a lot of stories will end happy ever after
but i swear nothing quite like you and me
but we saw things like they wouldn't believe
you hear a lot of stories about love and romance
but i swear nothing quite like you and me
and every scar sits like a marker
every line on the face is a small souvenir
of all the places be they good or be they bad
that we stopped into on the journey to here
so maybe i lost my sense of direction
but im alright now
every man needs a little affection
and im alright now
and there were times when yes alright i confess
i did things of which i am not proud
everybody wades through the same coloured shit
but it doesn't drag everyone down
and i was stupid i was insensitive
i was all the things i promised i never would be
ive seen a lot of foolish behaviour in my time
but tell you they've got nothing on me
so maybe i lost my sense of direction
but i'm alright now
every man needs a little affection
so im alright now
give me strength give me something to believe in
and im alright now
sing along when your hearts finished bleeding
yes im alright now
another evening of sublime self-destruction
to the tune of 1000 cigarettes
where every nail thats hammered into your spirit
well it wasn't able to sink you just yet
and television is just some weak anesthetic
to numb the senses til you're out like a light
like all these drugs they seem to promise you the earth
but then they dont keep you warm in the night
so maybe i lost my sense of direction
but im alright now
every man needs a little affection
so im alright now
give me strength give me something to believe in
and im alright now
sing along when your hearts finished bleeding
yes im alright now
its like i cannot sleep for dreaming
this is everything i could have possibly hoped it would be
a lot of stories will end happy ever after
but i swear nothing quite like you and me
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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/
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Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This song was so good live.