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.
(Chorus)
8 dogs, 8 banjos
8 dogs, 8 banjos
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
8 dogs, 8 banjos
Hot coffee, sweet tea
Hot coffee, sweet tea
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
Hot coffee, sweet tea
Good loving, hard times
Good loving, hard times
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
Good loving, hard times
(Chorus)
Ma’am?
A family of eight?
8 dogs and 8 banjos
Yes ma’am we’re talking happiness here
Corn whiskey, dirt weed
Corn whiskey, dirt weed
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
Corn whiskey, dirt weed
All morning, all night
All morning, all night
Come on boy don’t hesitate
Kiss a pretty girl before it’s too late
All morning, all night
(Chorus)
8 dogs, 8 banjos
8 dogs, 8 banjos
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
8 dogs, 8 banjos
Hot coffee, sweet tea
Hot coffee, sweet tea
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
Hot coffee, sweet tea
Good loving, hard times
Good loving, hard times
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
Good loving, hard times
(Chorus)
Ma’am?
A family of eight?
8 dogs and 8 banjos
Yes ma’am we’re talking happiness here
Corn whiskey, dirt weed
Corn whiskey, dirt weed
Tell me what you need in the whole wide world
Tell me what you need my pretty little girl
Corn whiskey, dirt weed
All morning, all night
All morning, all night
Come on boy don’t hesitate
Kiss a pretty girl before it’s too late
All morning, all night
(Chorus)
Lyrics submitted by xquttux
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.