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.
Here's a thought for every man
Who tries to understand what is in his hands (what's in his hands)
He walks along the open road of love and life
Surviving if he can (surviving if he can)
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
Chained to all the places that he never wished to stay
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
Ah ah
Ah ah
Ah ah
Here's a thought for every man
Who tries to understand what is in his hands (what's in his hands)
He walks along the open road of love and life
Surviving if he can (but only if he can)
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
Chained to all the places that he never wished to stay
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow (ah ah)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow (ah ah)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow (ah ah)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
Who tries to understand what is in his hands (what's in his hands)
He walks along the open road of love and life
Surviving if he can (surviving if he can)
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
Chained to all the places that he never wished to stay
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
Ah ah
Ah ah
Ah ah
Here's a thought for every man
Who tries to understand what is in his hands (what's in his hands)
He walks along the open road of love and life
Surviving if he can (but only if he can)
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
Chained to all the places that he never wished to stay
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow (ah ah)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As they took his soul they stole his pride (pride)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow (ah ah)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow (ah ah)
As he faced the sun he cast no shadow
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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/
"Richard (Ashcroft) wasn´t very happy for a while so I wrote it for him and about three weeks later he quit the band. It´s about songwriters in general who are desperately trying to say something. I´d like to be able to write really meaningful lyrics but I always end up talking about drugs or sex. But people like Richard and Paul Weller will look after me. `Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say´ - That´s me. I´m not Morrissey. I´m not Bob Dylan. I´m not Brett Anderson. They are better lyricists than I´ll ever be." ~ Noel Gallagher
@TheRightEarOfNash thanks for the quote. Source?
t think this song could be about fear of failure and never fulfilling life
i think it is about someone who isnt living life the way that they want to. they are unnoticed and unappreciated. 'casting no shadow' is being there but not doing anything .love the backing vocals.
@brick11 perhaps with the line of "take his soul" it could be implying that he is living the life that others wanted for him??
I'm glad that this song isn't about what I thought it was about. The lyrics always seemed to me to be about someone's suicide - him casting no shadow because he was lying down dead. I feel a little bit better knowing it was about songwriting.
Apparently Noel wrote this about Richard Ashcroft originally, but I'm sure that he can relate to it as well. I love the background vocals, they really add a lot to the beautiful melody and vocals
I'm sure it's written about himself. Noel seems to only be able to express himself through music and his lyrics. He wrote this song on the same day as Wonderwall, I think, which contains the line "There are many things that I would like to say to you, but I don't know how".
About how people or someone can take away someones self esteem.Think about it.
For me this song is beautiful. I belive it to be about a person bound down by society and its harsh reailty. How todays scoiety can take the dignity and integrity of a person. Hence the chorus 'cast no shadow' as if he has no soul left. Well thats my interpretation.
@Idiotech I tend to like this interpretation. "took his soul" could be interpreted as living the life others wanted for him ... walking a path chosen by others.
And Liam always changes the lyrics when he sings it, at least in the two concerts I've been two and then ten I have on CD. He always sings, "When you take my soul, don't take my pride." A little personal meaning, I suppose.
To me... the song sounds like it's about someone who is dead... but they think they're still alive. The part, "as i face the sun i cast no shadow", because ghosts don't cast shadows. Proabably completly wrong, but my idea!!!!!!