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.
In the orchard we see you once again
Listening only with the sunlight in your arms
It's a change to see you in my world again
Only visiting but happy anyway
It's a joy
To see you waiting there
Lit up, left glowing in the air
It's a joy
To know you're waiting there
Writing letters, left burning in the air
In the picture we see you once again
Still leaning with the sunlight on your arms
Then the life sent itself into the air
Until someone came upon the frozen stare
It's a joy
To see you waiting there
Lit up, left glowing in the air
It's a joy
To know you're waiting there
Writing letters, left burning in the air
Bringing all wonders to light
Bringing all wonders to light
Like an ocean
Life that overcomes
Like an ocean
Likely follows right behind
The only one
On a lonely ship, we are
Waking like an ocean which is sighing oh
Even when I told you were wrong
Turns out you were right all along
Hold me open when I am with you
Hold me open when I am with you
You know it's gone
You see me run
As if to hide
There on a lonely ship, filled full
Of an ocean which is burning oh
Melt together when I am with you
Held together when I am with you
We had it there
We had it there
I could have sworn
Turns out you were right all along
Listening only with the sunlight in your arms
It's a change to see you in my world again
Only visiting but happy anyway
It's a joy
To see you waiting there
Lit up, left glowing in the air
It's a joy
To know you're waiting there
Writing letters, left burning in the air
In the picture we see you once again
Still leaning with the sunlight on your arms
Then the life sent itself into the air
Until someone came upon the frozen stare
It's a joy
To see you waiting there
Lit up, left glowing in the air
It's a joy
To know you're waiting there
Writing letters, left burning in the air
Bringing all wonders to light
Bringing all wonders to light
Like an ocean
Life that overcomes
Like an ocean
Likely follows right behind
The only one
On a lonely ship, we are
Waking like an ocean which is sighing oh
Even when I told you were wrong
Turns out you were right all along
Hold me open when I am with you
Hold me open when I am with you
You know it's gone
You see me run
As if to hide
There on a lonely ship, filled full
Of an ocean which is burning oh
Melt together when I am with you
Held together when I am with you
We had it there
We had it there
I could have sworn
Turns out you were right all along
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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Thursday
Thursday
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.
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
I don't know about anyone else, but to me this song is about an unexpected confrontation with a ghost of a loved one who has passed - either a friend, family member, or past lover. ("It's a change to see you in my world again / Only visiting but happy anyway")
I should note this isn't all the lyrics. I copied them word from word from the booklet that comes with the CD, but it omits a fair few in the break between "Bringing all the wonders to light" and "Like an ocean, Life that overcomes". I couldn't seem to decipher them, so I left it.<br /> <br /> As for the meaning, I'd agree Endless. Certainly a lover, however. An ex-girlfriend coming back into this life, and how he realises that although he thought it was wrong for her to leave him, he now realises what little hope there was for the two of them together. They are oceans apart, one saddled with anger.<br /> <br /> It's interesting to note that the second half of the song seems to contradict the first. He is happy for her to just be back in his life, if only a friend. Then the second half seems to dredge up his previous fury and anger, and he laments once more her reappearance as he is reminded of the parting.<br /> <br />
I'm not entirely sure if it is correct, but this is what I got for the bit between "Bringing all wonders to light" and "Like an ocean"...<br /> <br /> " There, by it all<br /> you will talk<br /> among the wide watching stars<br /> there, all alone<br /> unto self<br /> you will see among the white birds ..."<br /> <br /> Why the band decided to omit this bit from the booklet I'm not entirely sure (mistake? last minute recording?) but it seems to me to be quite important to the merging of the two "parts" of the song together (such as you indicated of them being slightly different in tone).<br /> <br /> I agree that this song seems about finding someone from your past invited back into your life and then perhaps regretting the decision - but there's also so much more thrown into the mix that it's almost too hard to decipher. There seems to be these little nuances within the lyrics that give a whole range of plausible identities. I read it as a more collaborative piece, where different people's perspectives about love and loss come into the life of the song and give their own insight and ideas. It's interesting to note that it goes from "we" in the first half to "I" - something which indicates to me that the beginning of the song is more of a group conscience that slowly becomes a more personalized collection of thoughts/feelings. Perhaps they're discussing the person within their circle and then the writer begins narrating their own soliloquy?<br /> Ultimately however, it is a wonderful and beautiful song - whatever it may mean.
I agree with you
This one's about a suicide, maybe the same person as in 'Dive In'.
A near death experience brings him to somebody who he once knew who was close to him. Without the music I don't think these lyrics mean anything but with music as haunting as this I don't think the message could be anything less.