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.
Come back, come back to yourself
Now that your father is gone
This winter's gone on for too long
I say to myself
If I could, if I could recall a time
When I swam in the sea as a child
And it wasn't so rough and so wild
Maybe I'd know it was mine
Because I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets
But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat
If I can get back by the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
Come back, come back to yourself
Because there's nowhere else to go
You've been there too long in the snow
And It's ruining your hair, oh
If I could, if I could recall his voice
Oh, the portrait of him in my mind
Well I think I could heal with time
Maybe return
Because I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets
But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat
If I can get back by the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets
But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat
If I can get back by the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street
Yeah, if she goes outside in the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for her out on Saint Catherine Street
So if she goes outside in the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for her out on Saint Catherine Street
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
Now that your father is gone
This winter's gone on for too long
I say to myself
If I could, if I could recall a time
When I swam in the sea as a child
And it wasn't so rough and so wild
Maybe I'd know it was mine
Because I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets
But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat
If I can get back by the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
Come back, come back to yourself
Because there's nowhere else to go
You've been there too long in the snow
And It's ruining your hair, oh
If I could, if I could recall his voice
Oh, the portrait of him in my mind
Well I think I could heal with time
Maybe return
Because I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets
But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat
If I can get back by the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets
But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat
If I can get back by the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street
Yeah, if she goes outside in the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for her out on Saint Catherine Street
So if she goes outside in the midsummer heat
I'll be looking for her out on Saint Catherine Street
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
Lyrics submitted by absolem
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
"Come back, come back to yourself Now that your father is gone This winter's gone on for too long I say to myself"
Due to the death of his father, the narrator left his hometown and possibly a chunk of his old identity with it. The winter refers to the coldness of depression. It's time to let go of the past and let bygones be bygones.
"If I could, if I could recall a time When I swam in the sea as a child And it wasn't so rough and so wild Maybe I'd know it was mine"
Perhaps the narrator's father drowned and he couldn't save him? I'm not sure.
"Because I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat If I can get back by the midsummer heat I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street I'll be looking, be looking, be looking I'll be looking, be looking, be looking"
The narrator's' father has passed away, and with age, the narrator has grown to resemble his father either by appearance or mannerisms. The narrator has had quite a journey since leaving town earlier in his life (perhaps a tie-in to "You're A Wolf" from 'Leaves In The River'), and must try and plan his visit to his fathers gravesite, and Saint Catherines Street may have a cemetery located on it, or perhaps a manor with a family graveyard.
"Come back, come back to yourself Because there's nowhere else to go You've been there too long in the snow And it's ruining your health"
The narrator has traveled a great deal, has learnt from his experiences, and has been trying to forge a new identity after leaving home. Like Forrest Gump, you can only run for so long. The only path he hasn't explored yet is the one he abandoned years ago. His mental health is anguished by guilt because he didn't get to say goodbye before his father passed.
"If I could, if I could recall his voice Oh, the portrait of him in my mind Well I think I could heal with time Maybe return"
It's been a long time since the narrator has heard his father, and getting closure is one of the hardest things this man has had to face, scarring him emotionally.
"Because I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat If I can get back by the midsummer heat I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street I'll be looking, be looking, be looking I'll be looking, be looking, be looking
I knew there was something wrapped up in the sheets But I saw my reflection and fled in defeat If I can get back by the midsummer heat I'll be looking for it out on Saint Catherine Street Yeah, if she goes outside in the midsummer heat I'll be looking for her out on Saint Catherine Street So if she goes outside in the midsummer heat I'll be looking for her out on Saint Catherine Street I'll be looking, be looking, be looking I'll be looking, be looking, be looking"
The 'her' the narrator refers to could be his mother, a ghost, an apparition of Saint Catherine. It's pretty vague at this point.
The 'her' could also refer to the gypsy from "You're A Wolf."