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.
I'd like to tell you
Like to tell you
Tell you everything
Cause nothing changes
Ever changes
Doesn't seem the same these days
Dave's been a mess since Cheryl left
Just sits at home
And beats back death
And Beth still wears that
Stupid dress
There goes Joe Caparo again
With Darren's girl friend
They're asking where you been
Like I know
Where ya been
Hey Summer, where ya been?
I tried to tell you
Tried to tell you
Took a little bit too long
And now your phone
Is disconnected
And your shit's out on the lawn
The Hardback Cafe closed down
Now we've got Office Town
You should have stuck around 'cause
There goes Ross and Frank again
They're holding hands
They're asking where ya been
Like I know
Where ya been
Hey Summer, where ya been?
I could take a train
Or fly away
Maybe write a book
And change my name
I could settle down
There goes Joe Caparo again
Hey, that's Darren's girlfriend!
There's Ross and Frank
They're holding hands
They've been asking where ya been
Hey Summer, where ya been?
I'll smoke a bowl with Caleb
We'll fly away or settle down
But
Hey, hey Summer, where ya been?
Like to tell you
Tell you everything
Cause nothing changes
Ever changes
Doesn't seem the same these days
Dave's been a mess since Cheryl left
Just sits at home
And beats back death
And Beth still wears that
Stupid dress
There goes Joe Caparo again
With Darren's girl friend
They're asking where you been
Like I know
Where ya been
Hey Summer, where ya been?
I tried to tell you
Tried to tell you
Took a little bit too long
And now your phone
Is disconnected
And your shit's out on the lawn
The Hardback Cafe closed down
Now we've got Office Town
You should have stuck around 'cause
There goes Ross and Frank again
They're holding hands
They're asking where ya been
Like I know
Where ya been
Hey Summer, where ya been?
I could take a train
Or fly away
Maybe write a book
And change my name
I could settle down
There goes Joe Caparo again
Hey, that's Darren's girlfriend!
There's Ross and Frank
They're holding hands
They've been asking where ya been
Hey Summer, where ya been?
I'll smoke a bowl with Caleb
We'll fly away or settle down
But
Hey, hey Summer, where ya been?
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Light Up The Sky
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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.
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.
I always liked this song... It's not one of their poundkillpiano rockers (retarded, song for the dumped, etc.), and it's the other end of BF5 (Jane, Brick, hospital, etc.). Very neat.
"I could settle down."
I love that line-- they sort of use it as the emphasis of the entire song. They say, "nothing changes/ever changes," but he could change things if he wanted to. If he wanted to.
Peace, y'all.
This song is mad catchy. My favorite part is how in the first chorus, he's like, "There goes Joe Caparo with Darren's girlfriend, ho hum..." And then it takes him the entire rest of the song to figure out, "Hey, wait a minute... THAT'S DARREN'S GIRLFRIEND!!!"
What I don't get is... if Summer B. is Darren's girlfriend, how is she asking Ben where she's been? And if he saw her walking around with Joe Caparo, he knows where she is: with Joe Caparo. Or is this Darren's NEW girlfriend (in which case, why would she want to know where his ex was)? I'm probably reading way too much into this...
Well...I really doubt that anyone will ever read this for a while. :( Probably isn't a huge songmeanings song...BUT, I really want someone to respond to this. So, reader, whoever ye may be, please make an account or login and respond to this dude!
Anyway, I had no clue that this was so specific (The summer part) though I figured the names were all from their/his/his (Darren/Ben/BF5) town, BUT i figured Summer could be a symbol for youth. Like he's reminiscing almost. It COULD be a pun, for all those dogmatic ppl that say that one side or the other is TOTALLY wrong.
But yeah, I think the whole summer being youth/younger days is applicable. Kinda ruins my day that Summer B. is a girl. :( Rock on Ben Folds Five/Ben Folds (Yeah, I'm biased, no WAY biased towards Ben) forever.
I saw this and thought I would respond, since you've waited a good few months. And if I were you, I would appreciate a response, you know?<br /> Yes, that thought crossed my mind as well. Like "Where's Summer?", where'd it all go?
I love how Ben Folds can introduce a series of names no one knows anything about, but the song is still amazing and portrays a clear understandable message about how things change. Summer B is Darren Jesse's ex girlfriend, and it seems as though he sees her out, and everyone pesters him as to what she's been up to, but he doesn't want to tell them.
i feel sorry for those people!
I think this song is pretty simple, it is about how everyone changes and meets new people, and has friends, and they are all wondering where this Summer is. Great song, one of Ben Folds Five's best
Summer B was Darren Jesse's girlfriend. (Darren was the drummer for BF5.) She's who Song for the Dumped is about.
This song is so good!
saw ben in concert a few weeks ago, played this great great song, a rarity these days. with the crowd singing the background vocals in the chorus, it made the song that much better
awesome song!!!! soo good... definitely one of the best ones. i love the piano!!!