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.
Little Suzi's on the up, looking for a get-away
Ruby tries to bring her down, she's lookin' for another way
Little Suzi's on the up, headin' for the spotlights
Ruby finally gets up, lookin' for some quiet night
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
Little Suzi's on the up, now suddenly it's not a game
Ruby's got to give up, 'cause Suzi's plainly set on pain
Little Suzi's on the up, cost in cost, your point is made
Ruby's gonna hang around, to make sure Suzi's okay
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't you bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far when her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up, oh yes she is, ow!
Now she's on the up, little Suzi's on the up
Heading for the spotlight, oh little Suzi
Oh and the music makes her feel so hot, go little Suzi, yeah
Oh, yeah yeah, oh yeah
Ruby tries to bring her down, she's lookin' for another way
Little Suzi's on the up, headin' for the spotlights
Ruby finally gets up, lookin' for some quiet night
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
Little Suzi's on the up, now suddenly it's not a game
Ruby's got to give up, 'cause Suzi's plainly set on pain
Little Suzi's on the up, cost in cost, your point is made
Ruby's gonna hang around, to make sure Suzi's okay
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up
And the music makes her feel so hot
Ooh and she'll smile for the camera with all she's got
Don't bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far if her dreams come true
Don't you bring her down, she's a lot like you
She'll be richer by far when her dreams come true
Little Suzi's on the up, oh yes she is, ow!
Now she's on the up, little Suzi's on the up
Heading for the spotlight, oh little Suzi
Oh and the music makes her feel so hot, go little Suzi, yeah
Oh, yeah yeah, oh yeah
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
It's a cover from an older English band. Tesla did a much better version.
Agreed! :D
I always thought this song was written about Suzi Quattro(little suzi). But I see after reading the other posts that its a cover. damn good one too.
great intro, like most Tesla songs have
I absolutely love this song, and I kinda find it hard to believe that barely anyone has reviewed anything by Tesla on this site...it's a shame. Tesla's a damn good band.
Little Suzi isn't "clearly set on pain," she is actually "clearly set on fame."
Why are these incorrect lyrics on every single web site???
Ooops, I meant "plainly set on fame," not "clearly." I guess that's where bad lyrics come from!
I think this is a lesbian song. It seems to me that Ruby is jealous that Suzi loves fame more than Ruby. "Ruby tries to bring her down, she's lookin' for another way." There are two innuendos here; "tries to bring her down" (entice Suzi into a lesbian love) and "another way" (alternate lifestyle). "Ruby's got to give up, 'cause Suzi's plainly set on fame Little Suzi's on the up, casting couch appointments made Ruby's gonna hang around, to make sure Suzi's okay" I believe these lines illustrate Ruby's imminent failure and persistent intent in the face of Suzi's deep passion for the spotlight. Just my thought since the first time I heard this song.
@MadRhino Although a lesbian story would be hot, Im pretty sure the song is about one girl named Ruby. Suzi is Ruby's stage name. The girl is basically becoming a totally different person, she's letting the person she's "acting" as become who she really is. At least, that's my take.
This is a good song, but its acutally not a Tesla song. It is a cover from an obsecure British band called PhD. Tesla renamed it Little Suzi from "Little Suzi's on the Up" when they covered it.
@shadowduck <br /> <br /> Correct.
And in the second verse, the line is "Casting couch, appointment's made" not "cost in cost your point is made..." which makes no sense. Great song