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.
Bring your own lampshade, somewhere there's a party
Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail
If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
Being strong and kind, I need help here with this feather
If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line
Pound the prairie pavement, losin' proposition
Quittin' school and goin' to work and never goin' fishin'
Water all around, never learning how to swim now
If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
If being strong and kind, then I need help here with this feather
If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line, li-li-line
At the swingin' party down the line
Bring your own lampshade, somewhere there's a party
Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail
If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
Being strong is what you want, then I need help here with this feather
If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line
Every valentine at the swingin' party down the line
Catch you down at the swingin' party down the line
Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail
If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
Being strong and kind, I need help here with this feather
If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line
Pound the prairie pavement, losin' proposition
Quittin' school and goin' to work and never goin' fishin'
Water all around, never learning how to swim now
If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
If being strong and kind, then I need help here with this feather
If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line, li-li-line
At the swingin' party down the line
Bring your own lampshade, somewhere there's a party
Hear it's never endin', can't remember when it started
Pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail
If being wrong's a crime, I'm serving forever
Being strong is what you want, then I need help here with this feather
If being afraid is a crime, we hang side by side
At the swingin' party down the line
Every valentine at the swingin' party down the line
Catch you down at the swingin' party down the line
Lyrics submitted by krushzed, edited by gilbert113
Swingin Party Lyrics as written by Paul Westerberg
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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/
Westerberg's humanity and honest shine through on this one...I see it as a sort of abstract description of addiction ..a realization that he is partying ...except the party aint so fun anymore ...and hes stuck (I love the inhale thats dubbed in) "...if being strong is what you want, then I need help here with this feather"...additction feels makes you feel weak
@thelight <br /> I think that could be correct. I'm a recovering addict and some of the lyrics could point to addiction in my opinion. "Quittin' school and goin' to work" sounds like me. Somebody had to pay for the drugs. And "never learn how to swim" to me sounds like how many times we would sit around the table talking about all the things we were going to do, or learn, etc. 99% of the time we didn't do sh*t And I did feel very weak knowing I had to have the drugs. Actually I didn't have the drugs, the drugs had me.
I've found that listeners can often be confused/unsure of what the "Lampshade" means. This is only my interpretation, but I see the Lampshade as something that the user can hide under, their real self (imagine a lightbulb) is veiled and hidden beneath this Lampshade.
Bring your own disguise.
For a lot of party-goers this could be alcohol, or drugs. Bring your own and pass it around.
Iris Whittaker.
I've always thought "lampshade" refers to the stereotypical image of the drunken person as wearing a lampshade on his/her head while reveling. Google "lampshade drunk" for plentiful examples.
"Bring your own" is a play on "bring your own beer," which is, or was, a common stipulation for parties in which drink is/was not provided.
@paul839025 Expanding on this a bit - wearing a lampshade means you are the life of the party. The drunk meaning dates to the 1920s, but before that it was a common gag in silent film. Basically, he is saying bring a lampshade so we can all be the life of the party. There's obviously more joking going on here because "somewhere there's a party, here it's never ending can't remember when it started," so he's saying it while already at a party and the party has gone on for some time.
Westerberg has written so many outstanding songs, both uptempo defiant rockers and downtempo miserable affairs.
This song is one of the most depressing tracks I've heard, and it's also one of my top ten favorites ever. Paul's rough, ragged voice is amazing. It's really suited to such a slow, raw confessional type of record like this.
The lyrics are smart as ever from Paul. Great words, great voice, great melody, and great accompaniment. Awesome!
A swinging party is public execution by hanging. That's my guess. Paul is saying that he's guilty of a lot of things (being wrong, making bad choices) and if those things are crimes, he'll hang for them (figuratively, of course).
What is a lampshade? Is that a serious question? This is the song that originally made me fall in love with the Replacements. What a great feat of songwriting. The imagery is amazing and the music sets the perfect mood. Hauntingly beautiful.
In SongMeanings it is indeed a serious question. It has many possible meanings, depending upon one's understanding of the culture this song is rooted in. Among other things, lampshade is an old slang term, dating back to the nineteenth century, for a type of holly found in northern Minnesota and in parts of southern Canada. I don't know if the Replacements, being from those parts, are referencing that or not. If so, it may be like bringing your own mistletoe in case you need to be kissed. Pretty depressing but with its own glint of humor.
The lyrics are mostly correct, but I think some of it needs fixing:
"Water all around, never learned how to swim now" should actually be: "Water all around, never learn how to swim now"
The [mumble] should actually be replaced with: "Everything in time"
Isn't the swinging party suicide in jail.
The match sound and the cigarette inhalation is probably the greatest thing the 'Mats ever recorded. Just because it fits their persona so well.
Oh, and the song's a banger as well.
What is a lampshade?