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.
Paint a picture as we're walking down the street, a collage of paint, cement and steam.
Just like Deja Vu, still life in a dream.
There you stood just watching as the rain poured down on me.
We were once a canvas, so bright and full of color.
Now we've become Dorian Grey where the frame is bent and cracked.
I am too, in fact I've been that way since May.
Let the waves crash down.
They'll swallow all of us and wash away those memories we tried to save.
Was it enough to be brave?
How did we get so damn far by ignoring everything?
You we're the sand beneath my feet, eroded by the tide.
It's too hard to believe.
Let the waves crash down.
They'll swallow all of us and wash away those memories we tried to save.
Was it enough to be brave?
All I ever wanted was a cool, dry place to rest my bones.
Not to drift along with this current forever, not to have to sink alone.
All we ever wanted was a cool, dry place to rest my bones.
Not to drift along with this current forever, not to have to sink alone.
Let the waves crash down.
They'll swallow all of us and wash away those memories we tried to save.
Was it enough to be brave?
Just like Deja Vu, still life in a dream.
There you stood just watching as the rain poured down on me.
We were once a canvas, so bright and full of color.
Now we've become Dorian Grey where the frame is bent and cracked.
I am too, in fact I've been that way since May.
Let the waves crash down.
They'll swallow all of us and wash away those memories we tried to save.
Was it enough to be brave?
How did we get so damn far by ignoring everything?
You we're the sand beneath my feet, eroded by the tide.
It's too hard to believe.
Let the waves crash down.
They'll swallow all of us and wash away those memories we tried to save.
Was it enough to be brave?
All I ever wanted was a cool, dry place to rest my bones.
Not to drift along with this current forever, not to have to sink alone.
All we ever wanted was a cool, dry place to rest my bones.
Not to drift along with this current forever, not to have to sink alone.
Let the waves crash down.
They'll swallow all of us and wash away those memories we tried to save.
Was it enough to be brave?
Lyrics submitted by InkOutTheSky
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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.
I feel like this song is about a tough break up. One that they never thought would happen but, sure enough, it did and now, they need to move on. I can relate to this song. I basically went through the same thing: ignoring problems, trying to make the impossible happen. In the end, I had to realize that the relationship wasn't meant to be and I moved on.
This is my interpretation:
Verse 1: Everything was picture perfect. They were both so happy but, over time, their relationship started to break down. They weren't as strong and everything was just falling apart and becoming miserable.
Chorus: He's accepting the fact that this relationship can't continue on. The "waves" to me are every thing that they've both been holding back. It's time to stop trying to make things work, say what they feel, and move on from there. They tried to keep it together but, they need to just forgive and forget. "Was it enough to be brave?" I feel like he's asking whether it was worth the long struggle.
Verse 2: He's confused as to how they lasted so long with every thing that was so obviously wrong. They just tried to ignore their problems because, they expected to last. "You were the sand beneath my feet, eroded by the tide." He felt grounded with her but, as the tide drags in the sand on the beach, she was becoming more distant and he knew he was losing her.
Bridge: I love how, at first, he speaks of himself. Then, he speaks for the both of them. He realizes that it's not worth it. Neither of them are happy and they could have it so much better. They don't want to be pushed around by the "current", confused and upset. They want to be content, they want someone that will make them happy ("not to be alone").