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.
She was born on a bright new pew
To a gypsy mother and a bucket of tears
Her good looks could've sailed a ship
But her will alone could've sunk it
Funny thing about money for sex
You might get rich but you'll die by it
It's gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Tell me now, what would you do
Hanging back with the brooms
Hustlin', pick pocket,
That's the way to get rich
It's gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
Business men with good sense
If you live at all, you're gonna die by it
Funny thing about money for sex
You might get rich but then
It's gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
To a gypsy mother and a bucket of tears
Her good looks could've sailed a ship
But her will alone could've sunk it
Funny thing about money for sex
You might get rich but you'll die by it
It's gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Tell me now, what would you do
Hanging back with the brooms
Hustlin', pick pocket,
That's the way to get rich
It's gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
Business men with good sense
If you live at all, you're gonna die by it
Funny thing about money for sex
You might get rich but then
It's gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
Gonna be a close call
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
(oooh, aahhh, ahhh)
Lyrics submitted by southboundpachyderm
Close Call Lyrics as written by Jenny Lewis Blake Sennett
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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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/
Plastic Bag
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“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.
The part with "hanging withe brutes" is a hint at a quote from Tenessee William's A Streetcar Named Desire.
Trudat DCFCAlex. I wouldn't say this is their BEST album, but it's definitely not as bad as everyone's saying it is. oAnd the simplicity f the lyrics has a lot to do with the overall mood of the album. About the late night after hours scene and every thing. I think the album leaflet photography pretty much explains it.
I hope everyone gets that 'her good looks could'a sailed a ship...' is a reference to Helen of Troy ('the face that launched a thousand ships'). Funny what people are saying about the lyrics, stuff like this seems rather mature or sophisticated to me. I think the new album is their best since Take Offs And Landings personally.
Jenny said it was based off a story she wrote about a daughter of Gypsys who runs away to strike it rich as a prostitute.
faceculture.tv/index.php
i think this song is about someone, or someones, who kinda live a dangerous life, for money like pornstars, or prostitutes, or theifs. and how their whole life is kinda like a "close call" like everything they do practicially kills them, if not actually then like metephorically. like some people just have crap lifes to start with and never really do anything of substance, or do things that just dont make them feel good about themselfs, because they are always just getting by, with money, or even living situation. i'm probably reading way too much into this
I agree. and possibly always worrying about getting caught (theives and whores)
this song sucks. the whole album is a huge disappointment to be honest. the songs are so repetitive and the lyrics are very weak.
I know how you feel. I bought the execution of all things when it came out, and I have loved RK ever since. This album is definately more mainstream. I miss the old folky and quirky Rilo Kiley. It's like someone at Warner Bros. told them "Here's how you make a top 40 album . . . " and they did it. But it is good. And Jenny's insanely talented way of writing is shown through even on this album. With the exeption of Silver Lining, i was as well disappointed. But i guess you just have to appreciate it for what it is. I still love Rilo Kiley forever!!!
let uss be free if you don't like it don't comment on it. I am so fucking sick of people bitching about this album literally EVERYWHERE it is mentioned. get fucking over yourselves
I think the first line should be "born on BRIGHTON Pier"
then
"business woman with good sense"
I agree, i think it is/should be Brighton Pier.
I really don't think this album is that bad..
this song is eh. but jenny's voice sounds good. even though the lyrics are just ohkay.