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 a backwards attraction to your forward eyes
But you're so far-sighted that you can't place trust
In what or who you recognize
We sped the Plymouth cross the banks of the Mississippi river
Mary timony was smaller then a super ball
Chitter-chatter all these secrets started giving me the shivers
Plain and simply broken down near Olympia
I think your bruise was understated
Cause you can't feel this anymore
It's getting bluer and you can't keep faking
That you can't feel this anymore
But you're so far-sighted that you can't place trust
In what or who you recognize
We sped the Plymouth cross the banks of the Mississippi river
Mary timony was smaller then a super ball
Chitter-chatter all these secrets started giving me the shivers
Plain and simply broken down near Olympia
I think your bruise was understated
Cause you can't feel this anymore
It's getting bluer and you can't keep faking
That you can't feel this anymore
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery, edited by truthlover557, MMfan, philipsemmler
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.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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/
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.
i actually think this song is about self harm/self abuse.
It is not about his abuse, obviously, but the girl he is talking about. Let me explain:
"Its a backward attraction to your forward mind" By cutting herself she is trying to move past her pain, but in reality it is setting her farther back into her pain/depression. It is a temporary relief.
"but youre so far-sighted you cant place trust in what or who you recognize" She cannot meet somebody and trust them, even if she has trusted them previously. after whatever traumatic event she experienced, she now can only see to the future when people leave her or hurt her. Therefore, she cannot trust anyone.
The whole next verse is obviously personal/about a trip where he had spoken to this girl. "All these secrets started giving me the shivers" The secret about her self harm/depression/whatever caused her to start hurting herself.
"I think your bruise was understated" This is what really made me think it was about self harm. It is the quote of all self harmers 'it's just a bruise, it's just a cut.' He is saying this is understated, and it is a way bigger problem then simply a bruise. It spreads to so much more in-depth pain.
" because you cant feel this anymore" Many cutters use self harm to become apathetic. Their brain reacts too strongly to the adrenaline and it creates a calm, a numb, a temporary relief. Most self harmers do not actually even feel pain upon cutting/hurting themselves..only adrenaline. He is saying the bruise is understated because how numb she is becoming to the rest of the world.
"its getting bluer and you cant keep faking that you cant feel this anymore" Again, she continues to fake happiness or at least apathy through cutting. But like any addict, you get used to the regular dosage and eventually need to hurt yourself more than you initially did. In other words, though it may have been a small bruise that created the numbness before it is now a huge, deep, dark blue that she requires to feel numb.
I like to think of "forward" as in "lacking restraint or modesty; presumptuous or bold" rather than looking to the future. Her eyes are being forward with him.
Oh and for those that think they're sailing the high seas, here's what a Plymouth is:<br /> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_%28automobile%29
this song embodies everything that Death Cab For Cutie are. I fucking love every second of it.
this song is amazing.. im surprised no one has posted anything for it.. I love this song.
ye me to this is my favourite song by death cab for cutie, but i dont kno wat it means. SUM 1 EXPLAIN IT!
its like when you hurt someone and they pretend they aren't affected/ if the best revenge is living well this girl is living the high life and he's pissed that shes not hurting (like he is)
right on
it's your brusise was understated, not udnerstanded.
They were driving, not sailing. The Plymouth is most likely a van, and they were probably crossing a bridge over the Mississippi River, and they broke down near Olympia, Washington. As for Mary Timony, she's a musician - she sang in a band called Helium, she does solo work, she appeared on a song by Stephen Merritt's The Sixths, and so forth. My guess is that they (whoever "they" are) were listening to Mary Timony as they drove. Not a clue as to her being "smaller than a superball," though.
The chorus to the Helium song "Superball" is "I'm small/Like a Superball" and it is sung by Timony
They were driving, not sailing. The Plymouth is most likely a van, and they were probably crossing a bridge over the Mississippi River, and they broke down near Olympia, Washington. As for Mary Timony, she's a musician - she sang in a band called Helium, she does solo work, she appeared on a song by Stephen Merritt's The Sixths, and so forth. My guess is that they (whoever "they" are) were listening to Mary Timony as they drove. Not a clue as to her being "smaller than a superball," though.