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.
and you need me every time,
I'll wait it out for a while,
but someone get me outta here.
it's better now that I'm not around.
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away,
and something's got me thinking...
it might be nothing,
but I'm wasting away.
maybe I'm just tired...
tomorrow never let's me see,
but I don't know who you are.
it's hard enough to feel this way.
I'm holding on but you move too slow.
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away,
and something's got me thinking...
it might be nothing,
but I'm wasting away.
maybe I'm just tired...
no one can get inside,
no way, no, not this time.
it's too late to get it right,
I'll try today.
and you need me every time,
I'll wait it out for a while,
but someone get me outta here.
it's better now that I'm not around.
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away,
and something's got me thinking...
it might be nothing,
but I'm wasting away.
I'll never let you see,
never let you see,
never let you see...
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away.
I'll wait it out for a while,
but someone get me outta here.
it's better now that I'm not around.
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away,
and something's got me thinking...
it might be nothing,
but I'm wasting away.
maybe I'm just tired...
tomorrow never let's me see,
but I don't know who you are.
it's hard enough to feel this way.
I'm holding on but you move too slow.
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away,
and something's got me thinking...
it might be nothing,
but I'm wasting away.
maybe I'm just tired...
no one can get inside,
no way, no, not this time.
it's too late to get it right,
I'll try today.
and you need me every time,
I'll wait it out for a while,
but someone get me outta here.
it's better now that I'm not around.
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away,
and something's got me thinking...
it might be nothing,
but I'm wasting away.
I'll never let you see,
never let you see,
never let you see...
maybe you can see
I'm still kinda sideways,
I'm wasting away.
Lyrics submitted by a scar in the sky
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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,
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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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/
This song apparently is a bit of a mystery, even with the band. They DON'T deny it's existance, but they are a little confused as to where it was actually available to hear. A lot of people are really confused as to where it came from. It's a b-side, but from where? It floats around the mp3 programs, so see if you can download it and give it a listen if you are a Hi-Fi fan.