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.
Dark eyes on a dangerous face you are a beautiful killer
We pass by the same old place you are a (beautiful killer)
You don't have a life, you have blood on your hands
You can sleep at night and I don't understand
I don't know much about you are a wanted man
You can call my name and I'll be a around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
'Cause you're a beautiful killer with a beautiful face
A beautiful killer and you won't leave a trace
Do you know the reasons why you are a beautiful killer?
Hurt yourself but you never die, you are a (beautiful killer)
I like your silhouette when you stand on the streets
Like a samurai you can handle the heat
Makes me wanna pray for a haunted man
You can call my name and I'll be a around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
'Cause you're a beautiful killer with a beautiful face
A beautiful killer and you won't leave a trace
Can't really talk with a gun in my mouth
Maybe that's what you been dreaming about
'Cause your a beautiful killer with beautiful eyes
A beautiful killer and I love your disguise
(Beautiful killer)
You changed the past
Good guys always finish last
What happens now?
I need to know how the story goes
Are we together?
I love you forever
You can call my name and I'll be around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
You can call my name and I'll be around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
'Cause you're a beautiful killer with a beautiful face
A beautiful killer and you won't leave a trace
Can't really talk with a gun in my mouth
Maybe that's what you been dreaming about
'Cause your a beautiful killer with beautiful eyes
A beautiful killer and I love your disguise
You're a beautiful killer, but you'll never be Alain Delon
We pass by the same old place you are a (beautiful killer)
You don't have a life, you have blood on your hands
You can sleep at night and I don't understand
I don't know much about you are a wanted man
You can call my name and I'll be a around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
'Cause you're a beautiful killer with a beautiful face
A beautiful killer and you won't leave a trace
Do you know the reasons why you are a beautiful killer?
Hurt yourself but you never die, you are a (beautiful killer)
I like your silhouette when you stand on the streets
Like a samurai you can handle the heat
Makes me wanna pray for a haunted man
You can call my name and I'll be a around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
'Cause you're a beautiful killer with a beautiful face
A beautiful killer and you won't leave a trace
Can't really talk with a gun in my mouth
Maybe that's what you been dreaming about
'Cause your a beautiful killer with beautiful eyes
A beautiful killer and I love your disguise
(Beautiful killer)
You changed the past
Good guys always finish last
What happens now?
I need to know how the story goes
Are we together?
I love you forever
You can call my name and I'll be around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
You can call my name and I'll be around
Maybe I'll let you shoot me down
'Cause you're a beautiful killer with a beautiful face
A beautiful killer and you won't leave a trace
Can't really talk with a gun in my mouth
Maybe that's what you been dreaming about
'Cause your a beautiful killer with beautiful eyes
A beautiful killer and I love your disguise
You're a beautiful killer, but you'll never be Alain Delon
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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.
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.
This song basically talks about a sexually submissive woman, who's in love with someone who seems to be untouchable and mysterious.
That she is! Ever since the glory days circa Live to Tell/Like a Prayer, Madonna has always been attracted to mystery. Since Beautiful Killer is about French enfant terrible idiot savant Alain Delon, Madonna has fun with anything related to France. As far as I'm concerned, she might as well be French in another life due to her mother's death. All the while, Madonna loves her life. It turns out she's the Beautiful Killer with her clothes on and electric guitar across her back. The Lady Rocks in this art piece, no doubt! Doubtless the strength in this song is Madge's absolute conviction. Therefore, she caresses this song like it's a part of her Ciccone Mystique. Ultimately in the end, Madonna will never be forgotten. She is indeed one of the greats!!!!!