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.
Well, it's only rock and roll keep you running from yourself
When the only way to slow down is to fall
And it's only rock and roll that caused you to leave home
When the only way to get back is to crawl
But the record people love you they can get you on the bill
Change your name to money dress up fit to kill
People all around you everywhere you go
Don't worry if they love you son it's only rock and roll
Yes and it's only rock and roll keep you jumping all the time
When you really ought to sit this one out
And it's only rock and roll keep on messin' with your mind
When you don't know what they're talkin' about
All around the world everywhere you go
People got to have it 'cause it's only rock and roll
It's only rock and roll, yes it's only rock and roll
People all around you everywhere you go
Don't worry if they love you, 'cause it's only rock and roll
Well it's only rock and roll when your money's in the mail
Your love's on the back of the bus
And it's only rock and roll when your records start to sell
And you don't know why they're making such a fuss
Telephone receiver ringin' off the wall
Can I get witness each and every call
Second that emotion chased into your soul
Don't worry lest you linger, son it's only rock and roll
It's only rock and roll, yeah it's only rock and roll
People all around you everywhere you go
Don't worry if they love you, 'cause it's only rock and roll
It's only rock and roll, yeah it's only rock and roll
All around the world everywhere you go
People got to have it son it's only rock and roll
When the only way to slow down is to fall
And it's only rock and roll that caused you to leave home
When the only way to get back is to crawl
But the record people love you they can get you on the bill
Change your name to money dress up fit to kill
People all around you everywhere you go
Don't worry if they love you son it's only rock and roll
Yes and it's only rock and roll keep you jumping all the time
When you really ought to sit this one out
And it's only rock and roll keep on messin' with your mind
When you don't know what they're talkin' about
All around the world everywhere you go
People got to have it 'cause it's only rock and roll
It's only rock and roll, yes it's only rock and roll
People all around you everywhere you go
Don't worry if they love you, 'cause it's only rock and roll
Well it's only rock and roll when your money's in the mail
Your love's on the back of the bus
And it's only rock and roll when your records start to sell
And you don't know why they're making such a fuss
Telephone receiver ringin' off the wall
Can I get witness each and every call
Second that emotion chased into your soul
Don't worry lest you linger, son it's only rock and roll
It's only rock and roll, yeah it's only rock and roll
People all around you everywhere you go
Don't worry if they love you, 'cause it's only rock and roll
It's only rock and roll, yeah it's only rock and roll
All around the world everywhere you go
People got to have it son it's only rock and roll
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.