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.
Who's the one that makes you happy?
Or maybe, who's the one always on your mind?
And who is the reason you're livin' for?
Who's the reason for your smile?
I feel so lonely, yet I know I'm not the only one
To ever feel this way
I love ya so much that I think I'm goin' insane
I'm goin' crazy, outta my head, I'm goin' crazy, outta my head
I can't think about nothin' but your good, good love,
And what you give
Everyone needs somebody
And you know, everybody needs someone
Well, and a-yes it's true, everybody needs a special kind of love
And you're the only one I'm thinkin' of
You mean the world to me, you are my only
I feel so lonely, yet I know I'm not the only one
To carry on this way
I love ya so much I lose track of time, lose track of the days
I'm goin' outta my head, I'm goin' crazy, outta my head
I can't think about a-nothin' but your good, good love
And what you give
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
It ain't the life you choose, it's the life you live
It's only what you give, only what you give, only what you give
It's not whatcha got, but the life you live
It's the life you live
Play it pretty for the world
And you're the one that makes me happy, oh yeah baby
And you're the one always on my mind
Oh and a-yes it's true
You are my reason, my one and only that I've been livin' for
Why can't forever be forever and nothin' more
I feel so lonely, yet I know I'm not the only one
To ever feel this way
I love ya so much I lose track of time, I lose track of the days
I'm goin' outta my head, I'm goin' crazy, outta my head
I can't think about a-nothin' but your good, sweet love
And what you give
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
It ain't the life you choose, it's the life you live
No, no, no, no, no, no
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
And it ain't what it's not, but a-what it is
It's only what you give, only what you give, it's only what you give
It's not whatcha got, oh but what you give
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
It ain't the life you choose, it's the life you live
It's only what you give, only what you give, it's only what you give
It's not whatcha got, but what you give
It's only what you give, only what you give
Yeah, it's only what you give, it's only what you give, it's only what you give
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Is that good enough for the girls that we run around with?
Well, I do believe so,
It's only what you give, what you give, what you give
It's only what you give, it's only what you give
Or maybe, who's the one always on your mind?
And who is the reason you're livin' for?
Who's the reason for your smile?
I feel so lonely, yet I know I'm not the only one
To ever feel this way
I love ya so much that I think I'm goin' insane
I'm goin' crazy, outta my head, I'm goin' crazy, outta my head
I can't think about nothin' but your good, good love,
And what you give
Everyone needs somebody
And you know, everybody needs someone
Well, and a-yes it's true, everybody needs a special kind of love
And you're the only one I'm thinkin' of
You mean the world to me, you are my only
I feel so lonely, yet I know I'm not the only one
To carry on this way
I love ya so much I lose track of time, lose track of the days
I'm goin' outta my head, I'm goin' crazy, outta my head
I can't think about a-nothin' but your good, good love
And what you give
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
It ain't the life you choose, it's the life you live
It's only what you give, only what you give, only what you give
It's not whatcha got, but the life you live
It's the life you live
Play it pretty for the world
And you're the one that makes me happy, oh yeah baby
And you're the one always on my mind
Oh and a-yes it's true
You are my reason, my one and only that I've been livin' for
Why can't forever be forever and nothin' more
I feel so lonely, yet I know I'm not the only one
To ever feel this way
I love ya so much I lose track of time, I lose track of the days
I'm goin' outta my head, I'm goin' crazy, outta my head
I can't think about a-nothin' but your good, sweet love
And what you give
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
It ain't the life you choose, it's the life you live
No, no, no, no, no, no
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
And it ain't what it's not, but a-what it is
It's only what you give, only what you give, it's only what you give
It's not whatcha got, oh but what you give
It's not whatcha got, it's what you give
It ain't the life you choose, it's the life you live
It's only what you give, only what you give, it's only what you give
It's not whatcha got, but what you give
It's only what you give, only what you give
Yeah, it's only what you give, it's only what you give, it's only what you give
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Is that good enough for the girls that we run around with?
Well, I do believe so,
It's only what you give, what you give, what you give
It's only what you give, it's only what you give
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
The singer noted the meaning of the song in Tesla's home video compilation "Times Makin' Changes". He wrote the song about a dog that he had to put to sleep. He said to some it was just a pet, but to him, it was something that made him feel great. He was very depressed about putting her "to sleep".
As happy as this song sounds, i think its about a much deeper topic then just being in love. i first thought this after really listening to the bridge "i feel so lonely and i know im not the only one, to ever feel this way, i love you so much that i think im going insane"
this song seems to be about heartbreak or possibly a death of a loved one
i could be wrong but give me some imput
I absolutely LOVE this song. It's amazing.
So many emotions in this song. I 'sent' it to my girlfriend and she got really confused. I understand why when you really read it.
Who's the one that makes you happy. A great sentiment but a danger as you're asking the question not saying you are making me happy.
'It's what you give' always meant to me that it's more important what you give to somebody than what you take in a relationship.
There's so much beauty but so much sadness in this song. A sort of longing but with love there.
@Magicblue22: You sound so disappointed :p
I think, despite the true inspiration, it's still a beautiful song that can relate to any kind of love.
He wrote the song after he had to put his dog to sleep....He said "I don't don't care if it was my pet rock! I loved 'em and it hurt."
Ha! Tesla. Hmm...like innovative theories, I think this song really makes the mark. I wanted to find a song where "you give what you need" and although this one nearly gets there, it falls a bit short,p like all songs do when you want to give what you need to the person you love yet can't bacause everything is shrouded in comlexities. Hmm. Tesla. I am from Europe, however and fully expect that I will no longer have to do this...one day.
Seeing some of the other comments this song is about love! Any love between a pet or human! This song is deep, I think it can both be sad love, or happy! It could be about someone that doesn't know, or it could be about someone who passed on! Music is great, and this is about the most important thing in the world, Love!!!
I absolutely LOVE this song. It's amazing.
are you serious, about his dog?
I loved this song the very first time I heard it. I read that Jeff Keith wrote it about his dog, after they had passed away, and I can see that. But like any good songwriter, Tom Petty was the same (another favourite of mine!), many listeners can take many different meanings from one song, often depending on their own emotions/feelings at the time they listen. This is about a bond with a wonderful animal, and the love Jeff has/has for them, but that can transpire to the love one can feel for another human too. The emotion is so heartfelt and beautiful, it can still make me cry sometimes.