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.
Smile when I'm shy in ways but I love
Everything of first impressions
Sweet successions
Been around for quite a while
I see you kept it versatile
Motivated to combine
Even when it's bad, it's fine
Did she say something that made you cry?
Have you lost it all? The big fall
Oh, so slowly, comes back holy
Bishop takes a knight but I will
Put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me long progression's why
Set it off to collect knowledge
Quit a job and go to college
All about the aftershock
Swedish Latin super funk
Moses of Manhattan made it great
Pain we celebrate and I love
The long progression, indiscretion
Bishop takes a knight but I will
Put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me long progression's why
In between the reasons are
The psychedelic seasons, oh
Simple as your stride
Information intimated, elegant and integrated
Sweep your floors with pride
Smile, 'cause it's all a ride all supplied
And I love everything about this
Session and this long progression
Bishop takes a knight but I will
Put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me long progression's why
In between the reasons are
The psychedelic seasons, oh
Simple as your stride
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me the long progression's why
Everything of first impressions
Sweet successions
Been around for quite a while
I see you kept it versatile
Motivated to combine
Even when it's bad, it's fine
Did she say something that made you cry?
Have you lost it all? The big fall
Oh, so slowly, comes back holy
Bishop takes a knight but I will
Put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me long progression's why
Set it off to collect knowledge
Quit a job and go to college
All about the aftershock
Swedish Latin super funk
Moses of Manhattan made it great
Pain we celebrate and I love
The long progression, indiscretion
Bishop takes a knight but I will
Put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me long progression's why
In between the reasons are
The psychedelic seasons, oh
Simple as your stride
Information intimated, elegant and integrated
Sweep your floors with pride
Smile, 'cause it's all a ride all supplied
And I love everything about this
Session and this long progression
Bishop takes a knight but I will
Put up quite a fight, oh
Here's your ham on rye
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me long progression's why
In between the reasons are
The psychedelic seasons, oh
Simple as your stride
Elementary, the chemistry means
Everything to me the long progression's why
Lyrics submitted by haveron129, edited by Kalico37, crazydog
Long Progression Lyrics as written by Anthony Kiedis Michael Peter Balzary
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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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”
Gentle Hour
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Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
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At first thought, it seems to me like this song is generally about adapting. You can't do the same thing for too long, especially in the music industry; it just becomes boring after a while. To last and to keep it interesting for yourself and others, you have to try new things, explore new territory.
That idea fits perfectly with this band; having been around for nearly 30 years, they are constantly changing, evolving, and growing. No two albums are the same, and they love exploring new areas of music and art.
Of course, any other interpretation is just as valid as mine, that's what the Chili Peppers are all about: taking what you can from the art, and it meaning something special and unique to everyone.
Also, in the chorus, I believe it's, "Bishop takes the knight" and not, "This shift takes a knife."
Yeah, I agree on that chorus line. I'm actually hearing quite a few things differently than what's up there. Here's my take on it:
Smile when I'm shy in ways, but I love everything of first impressions-- sweet successions.
Been around for quite a while. I see you kept it versatile. Motivated to combine. Even when it's bad, it's fine. Did she say something that made you cry? Have you lost it all--the big fall? Oh, so slowly, comes back holy.
Bishop takes a knight, but I will put up quite a fight. Oh, here's your ham on rye. Elementary, the chemistry means everything to me. The long progression's why.
Set it off to collect knowledge. Quit a job, and go to college. All about the aftershock. Swedish, Latin, super Funk. Moses of Manhattan made it great-- pain we celebrate. And I love-- the long progression, indiscretion.
Bishop takes a knight, but I will put up quite a fight. Oh, here's your ham on rye. Elementary, the chemistry means everything to me. The long progression's why. In between the reasons are the psychedelic seasons. Oh, simple as your stride. Information intimated, elegant and integrated. Sweep your floors with pride.
Smile, 'cause it's all a ride--all supplied. And I love everything about this session and this long progession.
Bishop takes a knight, but I will put up quite a fight. Oh, here's your ham on rye. Elementary, the chemistry means everything to me. The long progression's why. In between the reasons are the psychedelic seasons. Oh, simple as your stride. Elementary, the chemistry means everything to me. The long progression's why.
"the long progression in this creation"