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.
Playing with fire
Down at the crossroads
They say he sold his soul
Hell-bent on being King of Blues
Deal with the Devil
But I swear there's an angel in there
Gotta give credit
Where credit's due
Sittin' in his rockin' chair
He put the mojo in the air
Yeah, hear the black cat moanin'
Twelve bars and a man possessed
Separated from all the rest
He was playing with fire
Six string -- his thing
No waking up from that dream
Took it -- turned it upside down
He rocked Woodstock
Jump start -- never could stop
Guitar gods all hit the ground
Heads up when he hit the stage
Sky high in a manic rage
Yeah, and the rocket's red glare
They say the boy really caused a scene
He took a match and he lit that thing
He was playin' with fire
Who's that creeping
Taking ahold of my hand?
Who's that moving
Through my veins?
Must be the spirit
Of those who've gone before
Got their fingers on my strings
Sittin' in my rockin' chair
I feel the mojo in the air
Yeah, I hear the black cat moanin'
Let it roll all over me
let it take me 'til I'm free
And I'm playin' with fire
Down at the crossroads
They say he sold his soul
Hell-bent on being King of Blues
Deal with the Devil
But I swear there's an angel in there
Gotta give credit
Where credit's due
Sittin' in his rockin' chair
He put the mojo in the air
Yeah, hear the black cat moanin'
Twelve bars and a man possessed
Separated from all the rest
He was playing with fire
Six string -- his thing
No waking up from that dream
Took it -- turned it upside down
He rocked Woodstock
Jump start -- never could stop
Guitar gods all hit the ground
Heads up when he hit the stage
Sky high in a manic rage
Yeah, and the rocket's red glare
They say the boy really caused a scene
He took a match and he lit that thing
He was playin' with fire
Who's that creeping
Taking ahold of my hand?
Who's that moving
Through my veins?
Must be the spirit
Of those who've gone before
Got their fingers on my strings
Sittin' in my rockin' chair
I feel the mojo in the air
Yeah, I hear the black cat moanin'
Let it roll all over me
let it take me 'til I'm free
And I'm playin' with fire
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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.
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,
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
The lyrics refer to Jimi Hendrix with obvious references to Jimi's rendition of the American National Anthem at Woodstock and lighting his guitar on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival.