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.
Now move a little closer baby
Don't stand in the road
There's such a lot of traffic about
You'll catch your death of cold
And as you can well imagine
What with your death on my hands
Nobody would believe me
They just wouldn't understand
Without you knowing
You got me going
Without your knowing
You got me going... (You got me going)
You got me going (You got me going)
All the way
Now waiting for the bus to come
Is getting to be a drag
Time was when it used to get here
Dead on quarter past
Now its almost quarter to
And still it hasn't shown
By the time I get to your place
I might just as well have flown
Without you knowing
You got me going
Without your knowing
You got me going (You got me going)
You got me going (You got me going)
All the way
And I don't ever want you to think
That I'm the sort
Who has a woman waiting for me
In every port
I mean, as far as I know
I've never been to sea
Unless you count the time I went out
In it up to my knees
And I don't ever want you to think
That for a start
I would ever do anything
To break your heart
You see, the bond we have between us
Is enough
To ensure when we're together
We are miles away in love
Now I'm not superstitious
But if ever I see a cat
The first thing that I do
Is check and see it isn't black
And if on close inspection
It turns out to be maroon
I'll breathe a heavy sigh of relief
And grab you on my broom
Without you knowing
You got me going
Without your knowing
You got me going (You got me going)
You got me going (You got me going)
All the way
Don't stand in the road
There's such a lot of traffic about
You'll catch your death of cold
And as you can well imagine
What with your death on my hands
Nobody would believe me
They just wouldn't understand
Without you knowing
You got me going
Without your knowing
You got me going... (You got me going)
You got me going (You got me going)
All the way
Now waiting for the bus to come
Is getting to be a drag
Time was when it used to get here
Dead on quarter past
Now its almost quarter to
And still it hasn't shown
By the time I get to your place
I might just as well have flown
Without you knowing
You got me going
Without your knowing
You got me going (You got me going)
You got me going (You got me going)
All the way
And I don't ever want you to think
That I'm the sort
Who has a woman waiting for me
In every port
I mean, as far as I know
I've never been to sea
Unless you count the time I went out
In it up to my knees
And I don't ever want you to think
That for a start
I would ever do anything
To break your heart
You see, the bond we have between us
Is enough
To ensure when we're together
We are miles away in love
Now I'm not superstitious
But if ever I see a cat
The first thing that I do
Is check and see it isn't black
And if on close inspection
It turns out to be maroon
I'll breathe a heavy sigh of relief
And grab you on my broom
Without you knowing
You got me going
Without your knowing
You got me going (You got me going)
You got me going (You got me going)
All the way
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
You Got Me Going Lyrics as written by Gilbert O'sullivan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/