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've been so many places in my life and time
I've sung a lot of songs, I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
Darling, then we're alone and I'm playing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but can't you see
There's no one more important to me
So darling, won't you please see through me?
'Cause I'm alone and I'm singing this song for you
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah, ey, ey, ey
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front, well baby I was hiding
But now I'm so much better with my words coming together
Listen to the melody because my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for my life
'Cause you the boy next door and a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember, remember, remember, remember, remember
Being together
And I was singing this song for you
We were alone and
And I was singing this song
Singing this song
Yes, we both alone and I was singing this song (singing this song)
Yeah yeah yeah, we belong
And I was singing my song for you, you, yeah, yeah
We were alone and I was singing our song for you
"You know what Donny Hathaway
You know who I see Donny Hathaway as like um my Carleen Anderson
Like um Marvin Gaye like great, but
Donny Hathaway, like
He couldn't contain himself. He had something in him, you know."
I've sung a lot of songs, I've made some bad rhyme
I've acted out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
Darling, then we're alone and I'm playing this song for you
I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I've treated you unkindly but can't you see
There's no one more important to me
So darling, won't you please see through me?
'Cause I'm alone and I'm singing this song for you
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah, ey, ey, ey
You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front, well baby I was hiding
But now I'm so much better with my words coming together
Listen to the melody because my love is in there hiding
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for my life
'Cause you the boy next door and a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember, remember, remember, remember, remember
Being together
And I was singing this song for you
We were alone and
And I was singing this song
Singing this song
Yes, we both alone and I was singing this song (singing this song)
Yeah yeah yeah, we belong
And I was singing my song for you, you, yeah, yeah
We were alone and I was singing our song for you
"You know what Donny Hathaway
You know who I see Donny Hathaway as like um my Carleen Anderson
Like um Marvin Gaye like great, but
Donny Hathaway, like
He couldn't contain himself. He had something in him, you know."
Lyrics submitted by ivegotamouse
A Song For You Lyrics as written by Leon Russell
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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Fast Car
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"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
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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”
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/
ugh, she changes the lyrics you know, she doesn't sing the song verbadim smh