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.
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
If you know my name you know by now
That I'm two hits in and three bumps down
Try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
You always fucking try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
Get in line with the others
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
Try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
You always fucking try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
Get in line with the others
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
If you know my name you know by now
That I'm two hits in and three bumps down
Try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
You always fucking try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
Get in line with the others
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
Try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
You always fucking try to censor me
I'll say what I wanna
Smile and walk away
Get in line with the others
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
It's only dirty if you make it
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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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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.
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When We Were Young
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Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.