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.
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Freefallin' when you shook from the pack
Keep walkin', let the foot leave a track
We often gotta look for the path
These problems, are the good ones to have
[Slug]
Nobody wanna struggle at home
Bass in his voice, trouble in her tone
What kinda couple makes a puzzle out of stone?
Choppin' and poppin' all of the bubbles that are blown
Nobody wanna be wrong
And once the line gets drawn across what we disagree upon
It could be the time bomb that we sleep on
It's just a little one
Back and forth like a ping pong
Nobody wants an argument
You try to bargain as a friend
But it's hard to with a star offense against a smart defense
And the history you share is full of scars and dents
Nobody likes breakin' up
When you hate the situation, but you crave the touch
You might stay in the relationship for the simple sake of it
Because you know it's based in love
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
[Slug]
Nobody wanna go to work
For some older jerk that doesn't know the dirt
That's embedded in the hearts of those that hurt
Monday through Friday and Saturday's for bonus perks
Nobody befriends the beast
Just to make ends meat and try to pay rent and eat
Spreadsheets by the end of the week
You'd rather spread them sheets and try to get some sleep
Nobody wanna lift a crate
That ain't living great
You wanna kid and play
You should dip, escape
No two week notification
Show up late and quit today
Nobody wants an awful boss
That got you poppin' out the top of your mouth as if it's common talk
You ought to wait until you off the clock
And appreciate the fact that you got a job
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
[Slug]
But somebody want that life you got
They think your boyfriend's nice or your wife is hot
They on your block lookin' at that home you bought
They'd move in today if that door wasn't locked
Nowadays you ought to watch your spot
Even with all the flaws of that boss you mock
You could still close your eyes and toss a rock
I bet you'd hit someone that'd love to cop your job
That's what I thought
Of course you don't stop
You won't take the shot
You can't afford the loss
If you don't wanna taste the sauce
Then put the plate down and take a walk
Drop or move away from the pot
Cause every time you talk
Complain a lot
Don't forget to count the balls y'all caught
Enjoy what you got before it all falls off
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Freefallin' when you shook from the pack
Keep walkin', let the foot leave a track
We often gotta look for the path
These problems, are the good ones to have
[Slug]
Nobody wanna struggle at home
Bass in his voice, trouble in her tone
What kinda couple makes a puzzle out of stone?
Choppin' and poppin' all of the bubbles that are blown
Nobody wanna be wrong
And once the line gets drawn across what we disagree upon
It could be the time bomb that we sleep on
It's just a little one
Back and forth like a ping pong
Nobody wants an argument
You try to bargain as a friend
But it's hard to with a star offense against a smart defense
And the history you share is full of scars and dents
Nobody likes breakin' up
When you hate the situation, but you crave the touch
You might stay in the relationship for the simple sake of it
Because you know it's based in love
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
[Slug]
Nobody wanna go to work
For some older jerk that doesn't know the dirt
That's embedded in the hearts of those that hurt
Monday through Friday and Saturday's for bonus perks
Nobody befriends the beast
Just to make ends meat and try to pay rent and eat
Spreadsheets by the end of the week
You'd rather spread them sheets and try to get some sleep
Nobody wanna lift a crate
That ain't living great
You wanna kid and play
You should dip, escape
No two week notification
Show up late and quit today
Nobody wants an awful boss
That got you poppin' out the top of your mouth as if it's common talk
You ought to wait until you off the clock
And appreciate the fact that you got a job
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
[Slug]
But somebody want that life you got
They think your boyfriend's nice or your wife is hot
They on your block lookin' at that home you bought
They'd move in today if that door wasn't locked
Nowadays you ought to watch your spot
Even with all the flaws of that boss you mock
You could still close your eyes and toss a rock
I bet you'd hit someone that'd love to cop your job
That's what I thought
Of course you don't stop
You won't take the shot
You can't afford the loss
If you don't wanna taste the sauce
Then put the plate down and take a walk
Drop or move away from the pot
Cause every time you talk
Complain a lot
Don't forget to count the balls y'all caught
Enjoy what you got before it all falls off
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
This song is talking about how life isn't perfect, but its probably a lot better than some others. You can choose to sit and mope or be happy for what you have.
"but somebody want that life you've got they think your boyfriend's nice, or your wife is hot they on your block, lookin at that home you bought they'd move in today if that door wasn't locked nowadays you ought to watch your spot even with all the flaws of that boss you mock you could still close your eyes and toss a rock I bet you'd hit someone that'd love to cop your job that's what I thought, of course you don't stop"
Just because life isn't amazing all the time keep going.