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.
Oh, you can have it all and wrap it in the world
You can have everything
You can have love and lots of other things
To make you think
But when it all comes down to you, girl
Yeah, no matter what you do
Take a look at yourself and realize
I've been good to you
I've been good to you
Oh, no, I didn't mean to say what I did say
All about lovers and how they should lay
Well, that was never for me to say and say
Don't you see now how I pay?
I see the sun rising
And all you see is it fall, fall, fall
So, come on up
Wasn't it you who said life was like a plastic cup?
To be used and then disposed of
Yeah, but that's no way to live a life like yours
Don't you see now how I try?
I see the sun rising
And all you see is it fall fall fall
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
You can have everything
You can have love and lots of other things
To make you think
But when it all comes down to you, girl
Yeah, no matter what you do
Take a look at yourself and realize
I've been good to you
I've been good to you
Oh, no, I didn't mean to say what I did say
All about lovers and how they should lay
Well, that was never for me to say and say
Don't you see now how I pay?
I see the sun rising
And all you see is it fall, fall, fall
So, come on up
Wasn't it you who said life was like a plastic cup?
To be used and then disposed of
Yeah, but that's no way to live a life like yours
Don't you see now how I try?
I see the sun rising
And all you see is it fall fall fall
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
For all the times I never never turned her way
And now she is there on someone else's arms
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
i think this could be partly inspired by hemingway's novel the sun also rises. we read it last year in my english class and i brought this in as a connection piece.
first of all, the whole reference to the sun rising and falling which also appears in the book's title. secondly, "now she's here on someone else's arm" may refer to the woman jake loved, brett, who was engaged to one of his friends. she couldn't be with jake because he was impotent even though he treated her really well ("i've been good to you"). "about lovers and how they should lay" could be about how he's impotent because of the war and insisted that she be with someone who can give her what she wants. and also, "wasn't it you who said life was like a plastic cup": brett was kind of wild and did what she wanted so that could be about that.
all of that could be very construed but i think it fits really well! haha =)