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.
Mother is busy, she won't even miss me
And so busy praying she won't see me waiting
I hate all your reasons they just point to Jesus
You can't be awakened when you're not mistaken
And I hate your voice and that fucked up noise
And your cliches and the things that you'd say to me
When they burned me then, they still seer today
Embedded in a memory that won't change
How can you talk to God [3x]
When you won't talk to me? [repeat]
So I begged you just for a word that
Through the day you might have heard and...
She wouldn't listen to my words
Always I'll remember some good times,
And some winters in times when I wasn't too dirty for mud.
When you'd hit your own boys in that fucked up voice
On your black days, oh! the things that you'd say to me
When they burned me, yeah they burned me
Oh they burned me, yeah they burned me
So how can you talk to God [3x]
When you won't talk to me?
I know every little word
Of all the things that I have heard
So how can you talk to God
When you won't talk to me?
When he won't talk to me
Someday you'll be, better than me [2x]
But you won't talk to me.
And so busy praying she won't see me waiting
I hate all your reasons they just point to Jesus
You can't be awakened when you're not mistaken
And I hate your voice and that fucked up noise
And your cliches and the things that you'd say to me
When they burned me then, they still seer today
Embedded in a memory that won't change
How can you talk to God [3x]
When you won't talk to me? [repeat]
So I begged you just for a word that
Through the day you might have heard and...
She wouldn't listen to my words
Always I'll remember some good times,
And some winters in times when I wasn't too dirty for mud.
When you'd hit your own boys in that fucked up voice
On your black days, oh! the things that you'd say to me
When they burned me, yeah they burned me
Oh they burned me, yeah they burned me
So how can you talk to God [3x]
When you won't talk to me?
I know every little word
Of all the things that I have heard
So how can you talk to God
When you won't talk to me?
When he won't talk to me
Someday you'll be, better than me [2x]
But you won't talk to me.
Lyrics submitted by xtc56, edited by RoleMartyrX
Talking to God Lyrics as written by Lewis Anderson Layng Martine Jr.
Lyrics © LEWIS ANDERSON D/B/A ROUND THE ROW MUSIC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
agree with Anirak. The lyrical content of this song reminds me alot of that of "Judas" by A Perfect Circle. Both artists are angry at their parents for their faith in god and lack of faith in them