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.
[Marley:]
I know something about love
[Brittany:]
You've gotta want it bad
[Marley:]
If that guy's got into your blood
[Brittany:]
Go out and get him
[Brittany and Marley:]
If you want him to be ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do, do, do)
The very part of you
Makes you want to breathe
Here's the thing to do
[Brittany and Marley with New Directions Girls:]
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now
[Brittany:]
I know something about love
[Marley:]
You gotta show it and
Make him see the moon up above
[Brittany and Marley:]
Reach out and get him
If you want him to be ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do)
Always by your side
If you want him to
Only think of you
[Brittany and Marley with New Directions Girls:]
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now
[Brittany with New Directions Girls harmonizing:]
Ever since the world began
It's been that way for man
And women were created
[Marley with New Directions Girls harmonizing:]
To make love their destiny
Then why should true love be
So complicated, oh, yeah!
[Brittany and Marley:]
Oh! ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
I know something about love ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
You gotta take his hand ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
Show him what the world is made of ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
One kiss will prove it ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do)
If you want him to be ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do, do, do)
Always by your side ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do, do, do)
Take his hand tonight
Swallow your foolish pride
[Brittany and Marley with New Directions Girls:]
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Oh, you have to tell him now!)
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him ([Marley:] Oh, yeah!)
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him ([Marley:] Yeah!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Girl, you gotta tell him right now!)
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him ([Marley:] Oh, yeah!)
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him ([Marley:] Yeah!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Just take his hand in yours and tell him!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Just take his hand in yours and tell him!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Tell him right now!)
I know something about love
[Brittany:]
You've gotta want it bad
[Marley:]
If that guy's got into your blood
[Brittany:]
Go out and get him
[Brittany and Marley:]
If you want him to be ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do, do, do)
The very part of you
Makes you want to breathe
Here's the thing to do
[Brittany and Marley with New Directions Girls:]
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now
[Brittany:]
I know something about love
[Marley:]
You gotta show it and
Make him see the moon up above
[Brittany and Marley:]
Reach out and get him
If you want him to be ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do)
Always by your side
If you want him to
Only think of you
[Brittany and Marley with New Directions Girls:]
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now
[Brittany with New Directions Girls harmonizing:]
Ever since the world began
It's been that way for man
And women were created
[Marley with New Directions Girls harmonizing:]
To make love their destiny
Then why should true love be
So complicated, oh, yeah!
[Brittany and Marley:]
Oh! ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
I know something about love ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
You gotta take his hand ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
Show him what the world is made of ([New Directions Girls:] Ah)
One kiss will prove it ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do)
If you want him to be ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do, do, do)
Always by your side ([New Directions Girls:] Do, do, do, do)
Take his hand tonight
Swallow your foolish pride
[Brittany and Marley with New Directions Girls:]
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Oh, you have to tell him now!)
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him ([Marley:] Oh, yeah!)
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him ([Marley:] Yeah!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Girl, you gotta tell him right now!)
Tell him that
You're never gonna leave him ([Marley:] Oh, yeah!)
Tell him that
You're always gonna love him ([Marley:] Yeah!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Just take his hand in yours and tell him!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Just take his hand in yours and tell him!)
Tell him, tell him, tell him,
Tell him right now ([Marley:] Tell him right now!)
Lyrics submitted by Abbie96
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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.
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"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.
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Great version of a great song,
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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/