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.
Don't tell me what you can't do
Never had a hold on you
And don't tell me where you'd rather be
Just say the word, I'll set you free
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Don't tell me what you can't do, oh no
Give a little, I need a lot
You never think about what we've got
Maybe our breakup is long overdue
If it's over me, it's up to you
Don't make it harder than you need to
You're old enough to hear the truth
Don't tell me what you can't do
I'd do anything to make you stay
I'd be a fool to let you get away
They say true love never runs smooth
But when it's gone, what can you do?
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Do what you like, you know that you can, mmm
Don't let her go!
Maybe I should let her know
I'll try to be strong
But it's wrong!
I'm gonna have to let her go
If you walk out on me
I'd be lonely as a man could be
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Do what you like, you know that you can
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Do what you like, you know that you can
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Do what you like, you know that you can
Don't tell me what you can't do
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Never had a hold on you
Tell me you like, you know that you can
And don't tell me where you'd rather be
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Just say the word, I'll set you free
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Girl, you're losing me
You're losing me
Just do what you like
Do what you like, girl
Walk out of me, walk out of me
Girl you walk out of me
Say the word, I'll set you free
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Never had a hold on you
And don't tell me where you'd rather be
Just say the word, I'll set you free
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Don't tell me what you can't do, oh no
Give a little, I need a lot
You never think about what we've got
Maybe our breakup is long overdue
If it's over me, it's up to you
Don't make it harder than you need to
You're old enough to hear the truth
Don't tell me what you can't do
I'd do anything to make you stay
I'd be a fool to let you get away
They say true love never runs smooth
But when it's gone, what can you do?
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Do what you like, you know that you can, mmm
Don't let her go!
Maybe I should let her know
I'll try to be strong
But it's wrong!
I'm gonna have to let her go
If you walk out on me
I'd be lonely as a man could be
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Do what you like, you know that you can
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Do what you like, you know that you can
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Do what you like, you know that you can
Don't tell me what you can't do
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Never had a hold on you
Tell me you like, you know that you can
And don't tell me where you'd rather be
But girl, if you're wrong, please understand
Just say the word, I'll set you free
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Girl, you're losing me
You're losing me
Just do what you like
Do what you like, girl
Walk out of me, walk out of me
Girl you walk out of me
Say the word, I'll set you free
You won't believe what you won't see
The only one you'll lose is me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
Mountain Song
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
No Surprises
Radiohead
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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
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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/
boo!