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.
You called me up last night in tears
And said you missed me after all these years
But I've been waiting here so long
I've gotten over it since you've been gone
You called me late last night again
And said you're finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
So sorry that you left me all alone
Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
You showed up at my door today
And said my friend why do you push me away
Yeah, life with him was just so dull
But what we had was something wonderful
Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
No way, you wish, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again?
Yeah right, as if, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again, again?
You called me late last night again
You said you've finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
So sorry that you left me all alone
Well, you say you love me, love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
You say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
And said you missed me after all these years
But I've been waiting here so long
I've gotten over it since you've been gone
You called me late last night again
And said you're finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
So sorry that you left me all alone
Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
You showed up at my door today
And said my friend why do you push me away
Yeah, life with him was just so dull
But what we had was something wonderful
Well, say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
No way, you wish, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again?
Yeah right, as if, I don't need this
What makes you think I?d ever want you again, again?
You called me late last night again
You said you've finished with your new boyfriend
Asked if you could come back home
So sorry that you left me all alone
Well, you say you love me, love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
You say you need me more than anyone else
Well, go to hell, where have you been?
You say you love me, you love me again
But if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
And if you love me, where have you been?
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
if you download this song off their website in .ram format, there's a little intro at the begining where you here some record exec saying something to the effect of "im really loving the new album, but we dont really have a song that we can push on the radio. I was wondering if you guys could go back in and record something without the trumpets, maybe a little less ska".
luckily enough for us, their sell out song of the album is still amazing!