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.
You were a witch with your short hair
The weather would celebrate us both as we ran all the way home
Staked out in the oaks
In the form of little brothers from down below
The weather would celebrate us both as we ran all the way home
Tumbling down the hill
Our faces dirty with warpaint
And all of Jerusalem is sleeping in our front yard
Please be able only to see the legs in front of us
We went through the carpentry
Having stolen parts of buildings
Shouting for you to slap the songs on your knees
Are we as bandits with orange peels over our eyes?
You were a witch with your short hair
The weather would celebrate us both as we ran all the way home
Tumbling down the hill
Our faces dirty with warpaint
These are the tools that take the marrow from your bones
The weather would celebrate us both as we ran all the way home
Staked out in the oaks
In the form of little brothers from down below
The weather would celebrate us both as we ran all the way home
Tumbling down the hill
Our faces dirty with warpaint
And all of Jerusalem is sleeping in our front yard
Please be able only to see the legs in front of us
We went through the carpentry
Having stolen parts of buildings
Shouting for you to slap the songs on your knees
Are we as bandits with orange peels over our eyes?
You were a witch with your short hair
The weather would celebrate us both as we ran all the way home
Tumbling down the hill
Our faces dirty with warpaint
These are the tools that take the marrow from your bones
Lyrics submitted by Tony Clifton
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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Yo La Tengo
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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,
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
In light of the song's chorus I assumed he was talking about an ex or current lover that cut their hair short, which induced "witchy", or bitchy, behavior. But looking further, the song seems to have biblical allegory, like, "And all of Jerusalem is sleeping in our front yard" and "We went through the carpentry." Just a thought. I don't exactly know the meaning of this song, but I think it's catchy.
But maybe the title lends to a theme of adolescence and fairy tale. This song sounds like he's talking about a wild imagination and the children that use them. Like, "Are we as bandits with orange peels over our eyes?" Kids are imaginative and come up with all kinds of stories to entertain themselves. "Please be able only to see the legs in front of us," reminds me of those things that only children believe and see yet adults cannot. "The weather would celebrate us both as we ran all the way home; Tumbling down the hill; Our faces dirty with warpaint," these lines brings childhood fun right and center in my mind.
Well, this wasn't exactly a song meaning, just the gist I get from the lyrics. I bet it's very esoteric, but as all art is... this, too, is open to interpretation.