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.
Send it off with a stamp
As the winter locks in the branches above you higher than where we've loved.
It's never coming back,
And the hardest thing about this love is that you're never coming back.
Hold me close while you can,
It's hard to remember the end of December holding onto the past.
You're never coming back.
And the hardest thing about this love is that it's never going to last.
And the hardest thing about this love is that you're never coming back.
And our love's waiting tonight.
And our love's wasted tonight.
And our love's waiting tonight.
And our love's wasted tonight.
Well hold young lovers, you'll
Find another, Your
Heart will sing too
But I don't need you.
Well hold young lovers, you'll
Find another, your
Heart will sing too,
But I don't need you.
And hold on lover, you'll
Find another, but
I don't need you,
And I won't need to.
As the winter locks in the branches above you higher than where we've loved.
It's never coming back,
And the hardest thing about this love is that you're never coming back.
Hold me close while you can,
It's hard to remember the end of December holding onto the past.
You're never coming back.
And the hardest thing about this love is that it's never going to last.
And the hardest thing about this love is that you're never coming back.
And our love's waiting tonight.
And our love's wasted tonight.
And our love's waiting tonight.
And our love's wasted tonight.
Well hold young lovers, you'll
Find another, Your
Heart will sing too
But I don't need you.
Well hold young lovers, you'll
Find another, your
Heart will sing too,
But I don't need you.
And hold on lover, you'll
Find another, but
I don't need you,
And I won't need to.
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
city off a stamp = send it off with a stamp.
and I believe the next line is: cuz (as?) the winter laughs(?) in the branches above you higher than where we look(?).
I'm not 100% on that second line, but I do think hes saying something about "winter," because it's restated in the next verse "remember the end of December."
To oversimplify, it seems to be about saying goodbye to a former love. Someone smarter than me can elaborate. All I know is the song rocks, and (like a lot of RAA's songs) the frenetic drumming is awesome.