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.
I never had it, I never wanted it,
I never had your beauty mark
Nor did I have your black hair and hazel eyes
My early childhood was not as simple
As yours set in the country
No I did not have a fears of nuns who dressed in black
But I do have your tastes
I had no radio show, nor did I have
Home-made clothes, home-made curtains
Of the same material
I never had it, I never wanted it,
I never had your beauty mark, beauty mark
But I do have your tastes
And I do have your red face and long hands
I think Callas sang a lovely "Norma"
You prefer Robeson on "Deep River"
I may not be so manly,
But still I know you love me
Even if I don't have your beauty mark
Beauty mark
I never had your beauty mark
Nor did I have your black hair and hazel eyes
My early childhood was not as simple
As yours set in the country
No I did not have a fears of nuns who dressed in black
But I do have your tastes
I had no radio show, nor did I have
Home-made clothes, home-made curtains
Of the same material
I never had it, I never wanted it,
I never had your beauty mark, beauty mark
But I do have your tastes
And I do have your red face and long hands
I think Callas sang a lovely "Norma"
You prefer Robeson on "Deep River"
I may not be so manly,
But still I know you love me
Even if I don't have your beauty mark
Beauty mark
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
It wasn't that she doesn't like any of his songs, its that he went away and wrote a load and was excited to play them to her when he came back and she didn't like any of them. So he wrote this one for her. I think he said that in an article for Vanity Fair... I could be wrong.
It's true. This was in Vanity Fair in 2009. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. <br /> <br /> vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/05/wainwright200705
this song is for his mom. she never likes anything he writes, so he wrote her this song. it's pretty self-explanatory besides that.
Aww. That's cute, I never knew that.. It fits perfectly with the lyrics.
i love this song!
so catchy and fun!
Rufus is really lovely...
i want to be cool (enought to) write a song about me mum. I'm not sure what i'd put. this is obviously about his mum. did anyone see the short film he and his sister made about their mum and anna magarigle? its was SO funny! its why i knew this was about his mum. rufus was playing anna (n the short film) and martha was playing as her mum. go look on you tube for the short film right now! its hilarious!
where did you get that his mom doesn't like what he writes? this song was one of his oldest (it was on his first demo), and i watched a documentary on him a long time ago where his mom was a frequent guest in the interviews - and she always kept saying really positive things about his songs, even going so far as to say that she couldn't pick a favorite one because she liked them all (although she really adored this song, as well as "poses").