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.
Last night
When the moon was new
I couldn't sleep
I was thinking of you
And how much I need ya
How bout that?
I act like like I'm tougher than steel
With a heart like stone
But ya know it ain't real
I really need you baby
How bout that?
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, how bout that?
I used to spend my life on the town
It took your loving to turn me around
I'm crazy about ya
How bout that?
People used to tell ya I'm a crazy fool
But you taught me more than I could learn in school...
(I said) I really need ya baby...
How bout that?
If ever you need time and space
Don't run away just tell me face to face, yeah
[Chorus:]
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
How bout that? (how bout that)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
How bout that?
(Baby)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
How bout that? (Yeah)
Oh baby...
Yeah
When I think back how it used to be
Before we met is just a mystery
I can't live without you , no
How bout that?
But you got my heart
And you got my soul
You got my whole life under control
Looks like we made it yeah
How bout that?
And every time I see your face
It lightens up the whole damn place
And I want to see this whole thing through
Yeah there's nothing I won't do for you oh yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that? (how bout it baby)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that? (Tell me)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that (how bout it baby)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Yeah
Last night when the moon was new
I couldn't sleep
I was there looking at you
Yeah I'm glad that I found ya
How bout that?
Every time I see your face
It lightens up the whole damn place
And I want to see this whole thing through
And I want to spend my life with you oh yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that
When the moon was new
I couldn't sleep
I was thinking of you
And how much I need ya
How bout that?
I act like like I'm tougher than steel
With a heart like stone
But ya know it ain't real
I really need you baby
How bout that?
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, how bout that?
I used to spend my life on the town
It took your loving to turn me around
I'm crazy about ya
How bout that?
People used to tell ya I'm a crazy fool
But you taught me more than I could learn in school...
(I said) I really need ya baby...
How bout that?
If ever you need time and space
Don't run away just tell me face to face, yeah
[Chorus:]
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
How bout that? (how bout that)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
How bout that?
(Baby)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
How bout that? (Yeah)
Oh baby...
Yeah
When I think back how it used to be
Before we met is just a mystery
I can't live without you , no
How bout that?
But you got my heart
And you got my soul
You got my whole life under control
Looks like we made it yeah
How bout that?
And every time I see your face
It lightens up the whole damn place
And I want to see this whole thing through
Yeah there's nothing I won't do for you oh yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that? (how bout it baby)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that? (Tell me)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that (how bout it baby)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Yeah
Last night when the moon was new
I couldn't sleep
I was there looking at you
Yeah I'm glad that I found ya
How bout that?
Every time I see your face
It lightens up the whole damn place
And I want to see this whole thing through
And I want to spend my life with you oh yeah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
How bout that
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Light Up The Sky
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
No Surprises
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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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Good song with or without Rodgers...Howe era was a different style...Original BC with PR was fine...Howe brought a new concept, new ideas...Both are solid...