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.
Copper, let us take you to a furnace where we'll break you, fire's so big and
pretty, you could cry,
as you buckle, you could ask me what was wrong with me before -
did I need the silver to be suitable?
Copper, I have a use for you, it's easy work and it suits you,
dazzled dirty beauty, you must know
Copper is a conductor and makes for decent cooking,
dazzled by your beauty still, you know,
plated or anodized, you even fool a layman's eyes,
presentable though you might be, it's unwise to try to fight me.
Copper, never be gold.
pretty, you could cry,
as you buckle, you could ask me what was wrong with me before -
did I need the silver to be suitable?
Copper, I have a use for you, it's easy work and it suits you,
dazzled dirty beauty, you must know
Copper is a conductor and makes for decent cooking,
dazzled by your beauty still, you know,
plated or anodized, you even fool a layman's eyes,
presentable though you might be, it's unwise to try to fight me.
Copper, never be gold.
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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Silent Planet
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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.
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.
I consider this to be a great geek song. Not too surprising considering how Albini is quite the nerd himself, being an audio engineer. In these lyrics, he seems to be writing a ballad to the most beloved medium of the trade: copper. Almost all wiring is made up of copper. It is the second best conductor known to humanity -- the best being silver ("Did I need this silver to be suitable?"). Since silver is so absurdly expensive, however, we tend to stick with copper. Now gold, contrary to popular belief, is not as conductive as copper, but it does have the advantage of never corroding. Also, gold is more valuable outside of electronics.
What I don't quite get is the chorus ("Copper -- you'll never be gold"). To me, it seems like Albini is trying to say that while copper is an excellent conductor, it still will not be as widely valued as gold. Or, it could be that Albini is saying that copper will not be able to "fight him" as gold can. The latter does not seem as likely to me, since gold is the third most conductive element, but it is possible.
Dhampir Boy, I quite like your write-up & explanation (on copper/silver/gold as varying conductives all with their own advantage vs. disadvantage). Being a geeky audio engineer, it all makes sense.<br /> <br /> As for the chorus- maybe it's a metaphor for Steve's path in the recording industry up to the point of at least writing that song. This song came out in the mid-to-late '90s, yeah? Steve being an analog loylist... when now there are so many other methods & ways to record an album. Everyone will always question Albini for being loyal to analog, even in 20 yrs from now when technology has expanded even more. "Copper- you'll never be gold" could mean a lot of things, but from the perspective of this song (and after reading your writeup) I would guess it is biting frusteration about balancing your roots and ethics vs. trying to make a living in a skewed recording industry. Copper- you'll never be gold (gold record? audio engineer?... despite Albini's well-known and revolutionary style for production, countless of records by mainstream artists he has put out, and all of the rest i can't cram intothis box before i hit X amount of characters or had an add-moment, his mechanisms are still constantly brought into play... "never be gold")<br /> <br /> what's interesting though. Compared to a lot of Shellac's music I've heard, this is one of the more straight-up gritty punk/rock & roll songs they ever put out. Sure it's noisy and has that albini sound still, but it is structured unlike most Shellac songs..
I think that this song is about a girl who's rather average and bland.
I think this song is exactly what it says: a song singing about the properties of copper.
Gold being the best, copper pales in comparison. And despite its various properties, copper will never be gold.
There's one thing I kind of wonder about: did I need the silver to be suitable?
Also, I think the lyric is "as you buckle".
steve's using copper as a double entedre, but I'm not quite sure for what.
When I hear it I imagine "copper" as a police officer, likening it to one of those big black songs where steve puts himself in someone else's twisted shoes. But I don't see that totally making sense. Just some guy that is apparently too mediocre.
I think it's just a song about feeling worthless ("you'll never be gold").
I'm pretty sure it's "Don't ever be gold."
The "You'll never be gold" part evokes the practice of alchemy.
Transformation of base metals into precious metals.