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.
I've left this place many times before,
But tonight,
Tonight's the first I meant goodbye,
Becuase this town I grew up in,
These streets that I know,
They are paved with my failures,
and the seeds that I've sewn,
I know,
I won't get another try to make things right
All my life I've searched for somthing to make me whole again,
The perfect words I've found are better left unsaid,
I've driven this road many times before,
But tonight,
Tonight's the first I know inside,
That the town's I've not been to,
The streets I don't know,
Hold my hopes and my somedays,
As my story unfolds
I know,
I've lost so much to live this life,
But I'll be alright.
All my life I've searched for somthing to make me whole again,
The perfect words I've found are better left unsaid,
And all my life I've had that somthing to make me whole again,
Been through it all to find it's in me in the end,
I still go back to that day and I think about,
How you came in my life, and saved me from myself,
You gave all you had, and all you didn't,
I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all our years,
And its clear,
I could have died without you,
You loved me when I couldn't love myself,
Your the dream I can't replace,
But some wrongs just can't be erased,
It's been brighter since the dawn,
One look back, I'm moving on
I finaly see the light, it won't be long
But I had to live every word of this song,
All my life I've searched for somthing to make me whole again,
The perfect words I've found are better left unsaid,
And all my life I've had that somthing to make me whole again,
Been through it all to find it's in me in the end,
But tonight,
Tonight's the first I meant goodbye,
Becuase this town I grew up in,
These streets that I know,
They are paved with my failures,
and the seeds that I've sewn,
I know,
I won't get another try to make things right
All my life I've searched for somthing to make me whole again,
The perfect words I've found are better left unsaid,
I've driven this road many times before,
But tonight,
Tonight's the first I know inside,
That the town's I've not been to,
The streets I don't know,
Hold my hopes and my somedays,
As my story unfolds
I know,
I've lost so much to live this life,
But I'll be alright.
All my life I've searched for somthing to make me whole again,
The perfect words I've found are better left unsaid,
And all my life I've had that somthing to make me whole again,
Been through it all to find it's in me in the end,
I still go back to that day and I think about,
How you came in my life, and saved me from myself,
You gave all you had, and all you didn't,
I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all our years,
And its clear,
I could have died without you,
You loved me when I couldn't love myself,
Your the dream I can't replace,
But some wrongs just can't be erased,
It's been brighter since the dawn,
One look back, I'm moving on
I finaly see the light, it won't be long
But I had to live every word of this song,
All my life I've searched for somthing to make me whole again,
The perfect words I've found are better left unsaid,
And all my life I've had that somthing to make me whole again,
Been through it all to find it's in me in the end,
Lyrics submitted by Silent Opinion
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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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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.
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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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/
This song means a lot to me. I love it a LOT. The meaning is pretty clear, I think.