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.
Winter got to them while leaning their bodies against the wall
The bathtub-settle-down felt the water going down the drain
As they put their heads to sleep and dreamt of leaving it all behind
The thousands of people they pass in the street made them nervous
Though spring was a kid, they grasp him by the roots
And his arm like plants torn from one another
Sudden death - dinner's set
All the words in the air are chairs and tables breaking bone
And he'd love to settle down, but everyone stares at death
As if it would lead to foreign ground, my friend,
And he likes to dream about the worms, my dear!
Swept in his blood - all the flowers are kept in his coffin
Oh, the dread you can see in their eyes
As he tells them to praise all their black fear.
He says: "Hospitals, you're just a kidney,a uterus, liver and blood, dear."
Talking to God, you're just souls with a body - a dirty machine to wear
Beat the drum, oh restless son,
Dancing in your coffin they will claim your past.
Paint his face, they say, he was my love!
Dancing in his coffin he beats the drum
There's a ghost in my closet, oh restless son,
There's a door in the darkness,
There's a beating heart,
But all my love is pushed away
There's a ghost in my closet - a big black heart pounding on
The bathtub-settle-down felt the water going down the drain
As they put their heads to sleep and dreamt of leaving it all behind
The thousands of people they pass in the street made them nervous
Though spring was a kid, they grasp him by the roots
And his arm like plants torn from one another
Sudden death - dinner's set
All the words in the air are chairs and tables breaking bone
And he'd love to settle down, but everyone stares at death
As if it would lead to foreign ground, my friend,
And he likes to dream about the worms, my dear!
Swept in his blood - all the flowers are kept in his coffin
Oh, the dread you can see in their eyes
As he tells them to praise all their black fear.
He says: "Hospitals, you're just a kidney,a uterus, liver and blood, dear."
Talking to God, you're just souls with a body - a dirty machine to wear
Beat the drum, oh restless son,
Dancing in your coffin they will claim your past.
Paint his face, they say, he was my love!
Dancing in his coffin he beats the drum
There's a ghost in my closet, oh restless son,
There's a door in the darkness,
There's a beating heart,
But all my love is pushed away
There's a ghost in my closet - a big black heart pounding on
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/