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.
Outside the rain begins
And it may never end
So cry no more, on the shore a dream
Will take us out to sea
Forevermore, forevermore
Close your eyes and ami
And you can be with me
'Neath the waves, through the caves of hours
Gone, forgotten now
We're all alone, we're all alone
Close the window, calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out, let it all begin
Learn how to pretend
Once a story's told
It can't help but grow old
Roses do, lovers too, so cast
Your seasons to the wind
And hold me dear, oh, hold me dear
Close the window, calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out, let it all begin
All's forgotten now
We're all alone, all alone
Close the window, calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out, let it all begin
Owe it to the wind, my love, hold me dear
All's forgotten now, my love
We're all alone
And it may never end
So cry no more, on the shore a dream
Will take us out to sea
Forevermore, forevermore
Close your eyes and ami
And you can be with me
'Neath the waves, through the caves of hours
Gone, forgotten now
We're all alone, we're all alone
Close the window, calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out, let it all begin
Learn how to pretend
Once a story's told
It can't help but grow old
Roses do, lovers too, so cast
Your seasons to the wind
And hold me dear, oh, hold me dear
Close the window, calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out, let it all begin
All's forgotten now
We're all alone, all alone
Close the window, calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out, let it all begin
Owe it to the wind, my love, hold me dear
All's forgotten now, my love
We're all alone
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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 interpretation only works if you allow that some of the lyrics might have been adjusted slightly to make it sound more like a love song (because the "original" lyrics were too depressing :-).
Rain = sadness, depression May never end = overwhelming depression, threatening survival (I have to do something or I'll kill myself) shore = reality (experienced by child) dream ,,, out to sea = unreality (fictions of the adult world, finances, politics, economics) forever more = once you close your soul to the magic of the world that a child knows, you become an adult and there is no going back close your eyes = no longer see the true beauty of the world neath the waves = waves of sadness cave of hours = darkness of depression, makes time slow to a crawl, also night is cave of hours? long forgotten now = the depression that threatens survival is repressed because it is too painful, so is forgotten by us adults, we even deny it ever happened to us we're all alone = I'm all alone - the peculiar experience of teenage depression close the window = on the real world calm the light = no longer see the magic of the world, see only physical things and it will be alright = depression will end, self will survive let it out = cry let it all begin = let it all end (I suspect the lyric was changed; notice END rhymes better!) learn how to pretend = be like an adult (as seen by a teenage child who first realises the corruption of the world, poverty, injustice, and adults pretending its all ok) can't help but grow old = once through the crisis, life is empty, just going to grow old; need to fill it up with something ... cast..to the wind = waste the rest of your life pursuing sex, money, power, ... anything so long as it distracts you from what you've lost hold me dear = try and fill the void by looking for love
So the big changes would be: Let it all end I'm all alone
I expect no-one to agree with this interpretation. That's ok. i would have thought so myself until I read Species in Denial by Jeremy Griffith. Now I think this song is what he calls a "Resignation Anthem"
This is a great song, but I suspected there is more going on than the typical pop love song. I'll check out Jeremy Griffith. Thanks for the possible meanings...
@istialestrio I don't think there's any question there's more going on than the relationship drama interpretations. It may even be about someone's death. "Hold me dear" sounds like he means it as 'hold me dear in your memory"
@istialestrio Good imagination!<br />