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.
She's your little voodoo dolly
And she's gonna make you lazy
Like the little drum in your ear
Transfixes you to your fear
And now she's transfixed in your fear
And you know she's gonna stay there
Because her nails are deep in your hair
And she made you so unaware
Are you listening to your fear?
The beat is coming nearer
Like the little drum in your ear
Transfixes you to your fear
She's such an ugly little dolly
And she's making you look very silly
And when you listen in to her ear
You get paralysed with her fear
Oh down, down, down in your fear
Down, down in your fear
Now this little voodoo dolly
Has made you very lazy
And you're anemic from her sucking
And when your dead she'll find another
Better break that little dolly
And sling her in the corner
Now she's a sorry little dolly
Such a sorry little dolly
Are you listening to your fear
The beat is coming nearer
Like that little drum in your ear
Transfixes you to your fear
Listen, listen
Listen, listen
Listen, listen
...
And she's gonna make you lazy
Like the little drum in your ear
Transfixes you to your fear
And now she's transfixed in your fear
And you know she's gonna stay there
Because her nails are deep in your hair
And she made you so unaware
Are you listening to your fear?
The beat is coming nearer
Like the little drum in your ear
Transfixes you to your fear
She's such an ugly little dolly
And she's making you look very silly
And when you listen in to her ear
You get paralysed with her fear
Oh down, down, down in your fear
Down, down in your fear
Now this little voodoo dolly
Has made you very lazy
And you're anemic from her sucking
And when your dead she'll find another
Better break that little dolly
And sling her in the corner
Now she's a sorry little dolly
Such a sorry little dolly
Are you listening to your fear
The beat is coming nearer
Like that little drum in your ear
Transfixes you to your fear
Listen, listen
Listen, listen
Listen, listen
...
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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/
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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.
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
this song is one of the first ones i've heard that i actually found almost creepy upon hearing it.
i think it's mostly about a relationship where the guy is probably the submissive one. he's entranced by this woman and lets her do whatever she wants in the relationship. he's probably scared to let her go or be alone. she puts her "spell" on him until she gets what she wants, and then she moves on.