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.
Well it's a most peculiar feeling, like sunburn in the evening
With dark clouds on their way
And you think it's most unlikely life could ever shine as brightly
Once the sun has gone and the pressure's on
And the rain is here again
But you don't need the sunshine
You don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
But do you find the change in the seasons affects you without reason?
You've greetings but nothing more to say
And you swear you'd feel much better if only summer'd last forever
But the sky is clear and you're nowhere near
And the rain is here again
But you don't need the sunshine (i don't mind the rain)
You don't need the good times (you could feel the same)
Lean on me maybe you could see it through
If you would only believe a single word is true
You don't need the sunshine
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
Well i throw away my sunshines, my so-called little lifelines
Do you know what i mean?
When i decided that the answer could not be bought across the counter
My sista dista has left for good
Now the rain has gone away
And you don't need the sunshine
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
With dark clouds on their way
And you think it's most unlikely life could ever shine as brightly
Once the sun has gone and the pressure's on
And the rain is here again
But you don't need the sunshine
You don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
But do you find the change in the seasons affects you without reason?
You've greetings but nothing more to say
And you swear you'd feel much better if only summer'd last forever
But the sky is clear and you're nowhere near
And the rain is here again
But you don't need the sunshine (i don't mind the rain)
You don't need the good times (you could feel the same)
Lean on me maybe you could see it through
If you would only believe a single word is true
You don't need the sunshine
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
Well i throw away my sunshines, my so-called little lifelines
Do you know what i mean?
When i decided that the answer could not be bought across the counter
My sista dista has left for good
Now the rain has gone away
And you don't need the sunshine
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving (anyone's giving)
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
Don't need the sunshine
(the rain has gone away)
Don't need the good times
Don't need anything anyone's giving
And i don't mind your lies so keep on talking
Lyrics submitted by Cristinablue, edited by SleepyCatten
Don't Need the Sunshine Lyrics as written by Matthews Jones
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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 love this song, when I'm down I listen to this song and realised I'm not the only one who feels like this so I don't feel so alone anymor
"When I decided that the answer Could not be bought across the counter"
So true, coming from someone who's tried to overdose on painkillers/sleepingtablets/anti depressants... I'm still here aren't I, it doesn't work...
I love this song. 'I don't mind your lies, so keep on talking' is a brilliant lyric. I think it really captures not only the idea that when in love, one must necessarily develop a capacity for being hurt, but also the notion of a sort of resignation to lying as a particular tendency of that person, and thus the preparedness that one should have to embrace those hurtful or unpleasant traits in their loved one; they are essential components of who they are. Another line that I particularly like is, 'Well it's a most peculiar feeling/Like sunburn in the evening', as it seems to demonstrate the bitter-sweet reality of falling out of 'being in love' into just loving someone - although on the outside it may not look as bright and exciting as the initial stages of love, and though an awareness of what has probably become, by now, more or less routine will (like sunburn) sting, it nevertheless serves as a reminder of the intensity of what was once felt between these people, and the memory of this more volatile and heady love can allow those emotions to palpably return.
Catatonia are heinously underrated!
I agree in relation to the <br /> <br /> 'Well it's a most peculiar feeling/Like sunburn in the evening',<br /> <br /> Even in it's most basic taken as read it is very true, sunburn in the evening is a peculiar feeling, not an analogy that immediately springs to mind
Love the little acoustic guitar in the background, great song to sing along to.
Aside from the obvious drug metaphor, it's about someone aching to help a person for whom she cares deeply. That sentiment can be applied to many situations beyond the scope of the addiction idea. "And I don't mind your lies so keep on talking..." That's just a beautiful line. Anyone who means that has to be devoted.
I love this song- truly fantastic lyrics, and what devotion! A tour de force if ever there was one.
This song reminds me of my college days!
It's a nice, calming song. It makes me think of rainy days for some reason.