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.
Open eyes, got to see the light flood in
Open eyes got to understand what it's like away from home
All the hills rolling rolling off your shoulders
All the hills in a mirror made of water and live it all
Made of water
Live it all
Shiver, little river, don't you ever give in
Come a little closer, meet me in the morning time
Shiver, little river, colder than the winter
Cold, cold water come a little closer now
Open sky and I'm not pretending, no
Open mind looking up at clouds that matter,
To you most
With the sound of the running water,
With the sound of the wires above our heads,
We're not alone
Above our heads
We're not alone
Shiver, little river, don't you ever give in
Come a little closer, meet me in the morning time
Shiver, little river, colder than the winter
Cold, cold water come a little closer now
Shiver, little river, don't you ever give in
Come a little closer, meet me in the morning time
Shiver, little river, colder than the winter
Cold, cold water come a little closer now
Open eyes got to understand what it's like away from home
All the hills rolling rolling off your shoulders
All the hills in a mirror made of water and live it all
Made of water
Live it all
Shiver, little river, don't you ever give in
Come a little closer, meet me in the morning time
Shiver, little river, colder than the winter
Cold, cold water come a little closer now
Open sky and I'm not pretending, no
Open mind looking up at clouds that matter,
To you most
With the sound of the running water,
With the sound of the wires above our heads,
We're not alone
Above our heads
We're not alone
Shiver, little river, don't you ever give in
Come a little closer, meet me in the morning time
Shiver, little river, colder than the winter
Cold, cold water come a little closer now
Shiver, little river, don't you ever give in
Come a little closer, meet me in the morning time
Shiver, little river, colder than the winter
Cold, cold water come a little closer now
Lyrics submitted by inomplete
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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.
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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Open eyes, got to see the light flood in Open eyes got to understand what it's like away from home (This could be leaving your comfort zone and learning more about the world and yourself, as in growing up or branching out)
All the hills rolling rolling off your shoulders All the hills in a mirror made of water and live it all Made of water Live it all (This could mean all those things that were holding you back, that seemed so difficult to surpass, are revealed to be abstract ideas that were all in your head. Once you realize that you can flow past them like water over a hill, rather than through it)
Shiver, little river, don't you ever give in Come a little closer, meet me in the morning time Shiver, little river, colder than the winter Cold, cold water come a little closer now (Just keep flowing through life, like water over and around the problems you face, whether real or imagined, and you'll grow closer to happiness)
Open sky and I'm not pretending, no Open mind looking up at clouds that matter, To you most With the sound of the running water, With the sound of the wires above our heads, We're not alone Above our heads We're not alone (There are no limitations beyond actual physical ones, and even those are only as limiting as you allow. You're always going to have your happiness threatened by societal standards looming over you, but you aren't the only one going against the grain, and if you keep moving forward, eventually you and those like you will change the flow of things)
Well, that's how I interpreted it.