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.
I can roll out of synch
With the beat of the rink
Cause I roll on my own terms
I don't need any sisters anymore
I already ate my fill of worms
I can drape like a gown
On the curve of a sound
That you heard inside your room
But I don't need any sisters anymore
And I won't wear your cheap perfume
Whoa whoa
Well, the car pulled up a long time ago
You o nly need one brother
(Now say it again)
And let the right ones leave like they left you before
You only got one brother
(He's only a friend)
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
Just friends
I posses all the grace
That it takes to erase
All the nightmares that I've had
Well, I don't need any sisters anymore
But now I admit they're not so bad
Having faith in a dream
Put a whole in the seems
Of the shadows that you sew
And I don't need any sisters anymore
‘Cause I only need to do my show
Whoa whoa
Well, the car pulled up a ling time ago
You only need one brother
(Now say it again)
And let the right ones leave like they left you before
You only got one brother
(He's only a friend)
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
Just friends
Well, the car pulled up a ling time ago
You only need one brother
(Now say it again)
And let the right ones leave like they left you before
You only got one brother
(He's only a friend)
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
Just friends
With the beat of the rink
Cause I roll on my own terms
I don't need any sisters anymore
I already ate my fill of worms
I can drape like a gown
On the curve of a sound
That you heard inside your room
But I don't need any sisters anymore
And I won't wear your cheap perfume
Whoa whoa
Well, the car pulled up a long time ago
You o nly need one brother
(Now say it again)
And let the right ones leave like they left you before
You only got one brother
(He's only a friend)
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
Just friends
I posses all the grace
That it takes to erase
All the nightmares that I've had
Well, I don't need any sisters anymore
But now I admit they're not so bad
Having faith in a dream
Put a whole in the seems
Of the shadows that you sew
And I don't need any sisters anymore
‘Cause I only need to do my show
Whoa whoa
Well, the car pulled up a ling time ago
You only need one brother
(Now say it again)
And let the right ones leave like they left you before
You only got one brother
(He's only a friend)
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
Just friends
Well, the car pulled up a ling time ago
You only need one brother
(Now say it again)
And let the right ones leave like they left you before
You only got one brother
(He's only a friend)
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
And you'll be making no love
Making no love, making no love
Making no love, making no love
Just friends
Lyrics submitted by uteinfullerton
One Brother Lyrics as written by Andrew F. Wilkes-krier
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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.
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/
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.
This is kind of the anthem of the friend zoned.
Alright, I think this is a guy professing his love to a girl who he has a platonic friendship with. They are like brother and sister, and he is telling her that she only has one brother... (I'm not sure if he's saying he's that brother, or he's not her brother implying she may have a real brother).
He doesn't need any sisters (or any more sisters) he wants a girlfriend. But the problem is that the girl makes bad relationship choices, and continually goes out with guys that end up hurting her. (Let the right ones leave you like they left you before). Men have been leaving/disappoint the girl her whole life. That may extend to family members as well. The narrator thinks he is the guy to end this and has dreams of their relationship. (Having faith in a dream, Put a hole in the seams, Of the shadows that you sew)
He's going to be the guy to end her relationship woes and he's been there for a long time (The car pulled up a long time ago...).
But it doesn't seem certain this relationship will come to fruition (Making no love, just friends). She doesn't want to accept this relationship. Maybe she's not attracted to him in this way. Maybe she doesn't want to risk losing the one decent guy in her life.