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.
Pretty little one
How has it all begun
They're teaching you how to walk
But you're already on the run
Little one, what you gonna do
Little one, honey, it's all up to you
Now your daddy's in the den
Shootin' up the evening news
Mama's with a friend
Lately she's been so confused
Little one, come on and take my hand
Well, I may not have the answer
But I believe I got a plan
Honey, you shake, I'll rattle
We'll roll on down the line
See if we can't get in touch
With a very close friend of mine
But let me clue you in
It ain't like him to argue or pretend
Honey let me introduce you
To my redneck friend
Well, they've got a little list
Of all those things of which they don't approve
Well, they've got to keep their eyes on you
Or you might make your move
Little one, I really wish you would
Little one, I think the damage would do you good
Honey, you shake, I'll rattle
We'll roll on down the line
We're going to forget all about the battle
It's gonna feel so fine
'Cause he's the missing link
The kitchen sink, eleven on a scale of ten
Honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend
Honey, you shake, I'll rattle
We'll roll on down the line
I'm going to try to swing you up into my saddle
And then we'll run but you'll think we're flyin'
Honey, don't just stand there lookin'
Like this dream will never end
Honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend
I said, honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend
How has it all begun
They're teaching you how to walk
But you're already on the run
Little one, what you gonna do
Little one, honey, it's all up to you
Now your daddy's in the den
Shootin' up the evening news
Mama's with a friend
Lately she's been so confused
Little one, come on and take my hand
Well, I may not have the answer
But I believe I got a plan
Honey, you shake, I'll rattle
We'll roll on down the line
See if we can't get in touch
With a very close friend of mine
But let me clue you in
It ain't like him to argue or pretend
Honey let me introduce you
To my redneck friend
Well, they've got a little list
Of all those things of which they don't approve
Well, they've got to keep their eyes on you
Or you might make your move
Little one, I really wish you would
Little one, I think the damage would do you good
Honey, you shake, I'll rattle
We'll roll on down the line
We're going to forget all about the battle
It's gonna feel so fine
'Cause he's the missing link
The kitchen sink, eleven on a scale of ten
Honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend
Honey, you shake, I'll rattle
We'll roll on down the line
I'm going to try to swing you up into my saddle
And then we'll run but you'll think we're flyin'
Honey, don't just stand there lookin'
Like this dream will never end
Honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend
I said, honey, let me introduce you to my redneck friend
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Light Up The Sky
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@[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.
No Surprises
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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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Y'all aren't thinking right. It's a very transparent song. His redneck friend is his penis. He wants to introduce the "pretty little one" to his penis. Get it? It's his poetic way of saying he wants to fuck her, not so much make love to her, but fuck her... well.
And daddy's not doing heroin for crap's sake! Daddy is distracted in that moment watching tv so Jacks sees an opportunity to move in for the kill.
It's really not that serious of a song but it is slightly more complex than a jerk off song. It's fun, one of very few light songs from him in that era. And Lesyeuxdeserpent, 100%, ALL of the other lyrics support that theory.
@AstoriaQueen Yes, FACT, it’s about his dick. Next question please. This one’s been settled.
This song is about his dick.
Yep, definitely about his penis.
If you all stop looking for sexual connotation, you realize right away that the song is about his son who traveled with him when on tour. The lad was barely 2 years old but already on the run even though they were just teaching him how to walk.
Toddlers like to 'shake, rattle & roll' - the 'red-neck friend' was probably David Lindley.
@Rvon No, the words in this song definitely suggest the narrator is talking to a girl and wanting to take her for a "ride." You're reaching. It's nice thinking, using the context of artist's situation, but the lyrics really don't support your analysis.
His red neck friend is his penis. Get it? Now the lyrics make sense.
My understanding is that the title was originally red-Headed friend, which was a bit too transparent for FM radio play back in the day, so he had to change it to 'neck.' Cadence on headed works better, too.
Lindley wasn't much of a red head, or neck as I understand it.
His redneck friend is Gregg Allman. He was a big fan of the ABB
@BossGlebe Did the two of them ever hang out, tho? lol In other news, Jackson had another song "Rosie", with more veiled sexual meaning.
...come on....you guys ruined this song for me...and you are likely correct. i thought it was an LA liberal song about his redneck friend...nevermind....
Uh..Huh Huh Huh Huh Huh...yeah...and his hand...Heh Heh Heh Heh...heh heh.
This song is clearly about showing her the sexual ropes.