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.
From small pins to fiery burns
These are the signals of my dying nerves
Singed by the heat of your lines and curves
Into a fire that could scorch the earth
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through 'em
But I can't remember how to feel
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not afraid to be bound to the impulses of science
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses
From small shocks to surgin' bolts
These are the signals from my spinal post
Sent down the wires through their lines and folds
Into a riot on my frontal lobe
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through 'em
But I can't remember how to feel
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do now
To cool me down
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not afraid to be bound to the impulses of science
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do now
To cool me down
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not afraid to be bound to the impulses of science
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses of science
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
I can't remember how to feel
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses of science
These are the signals of my dying nerves
Singed by the heat of your lines and curves
Into a fire that could scorch the earth
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through 'em
But I can't remember how to feel
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not afraid to be bound to the impulses of science
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses
From small shocks to surgin' bolts
These are the signals from my spinal post
Sent down the wires through their lines and folds
Into a riot on my frontal lobe
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through the motions
I'm going through 'em
But I can't remember how to feel
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do now
To cool me down
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not afraid to be bound to the impulses of science
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do
Since I ran my hands over you
Nothing else will ever do now
To cool me down
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not afraid to be bound to the impulses of science
If this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Oh if this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses of science
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
I can't remember how to feel
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
If this is chemical
Then I am not ashamed to be owned by the impulses of science
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More Featured Meanings
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"
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I see this song as meaning he wants to feel what he once felt before, a girl came along and made his mind think only for her, and only have feelings for her, so "he's going through the motions" and acting how he did before meeting her to attempt to find the feelings he once felt, and be the person he used to be. "since i ran my hands over you, nothing else will ever do" demonstrates how since she entered his life, nothing will be able to replace her in his heart, even the things he used to love.