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.
Well it's a road that's tried and tested, accounting for the human convoy.
That takes life's ride and makes the stops at all the cliché kismet points.
It's paramount your conquests include a degree, a job, a wife.
Social progress sold you your dreams of what your money can buy.
Cos progress is one foot in front of the other.
I sang that verse and it sure displeased my mother.
She said "you'll make life's ache lower cos pooled blood drains a little slower"
Well it's a ballast in the bloodstream, but ain't the details with the devil?
A fusion of your bank accounts will surely keep your spirit level.
It's another contract nailed to your back.
You will see once the veil has been lifted that paper is paper, and paper's a sure sign.
You give up trust when you sign on the dotted line.
I've been dreaming of a place called home.
I've been dreaming that your dreaming on your backbone.
Though your dreams are stones, still left unturned.
Careless dreaming will see you leaving alone.
Who cares?
Cos progress is one foot in front of the other.
I sang that verse and it sure displeased my mother.
She said "you'll make life's ache lower cos paired hearts bleed a little slower"
That takes life's ride and makes the stops at all the cliché kismet points.
It's paramount your conquests include a degree, a job, a wife.
Social progress sold you your dreams of what your money can buy.
Cos progress is one foot in front of the other.
I sang that verse and it sure displeased my mother.
She said "you'll make life's ache lower cos pooled blood drains a little slower"
Well it's a ballast in the bloodstream, but ain't the details with the devil?
A fusion of your bank accounts will surely keep your spirit level.
It's another contract nailed to your back.
You will see once the veil has been lifted that paper is paper, and paper's a sure sign.
You give up trust when you sign on the dotted line.
I've been dreaming of a place called home.
I've been dreaming that your dreaming on your backbone.
Though your dreams are stones, still left unturned.
Careless dreaming will see you leaving alone.
Who cares?
Cos progress is one foot in front of the other.
I sang that verse and it sure displeased my mother.
She said "you'll make life's ache lower cos paired hearts bleed a little slower"
Lyrics submitted by AfaCUK
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.