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.
Sleep on the left side
Leave the right side free
Hope gets salted
As those around you leave
we're gonna let it up
Like India House on fire
We're gonna let it go
And let it go higher
Let it go
Sleep on the left side
Houcam is our call
We're gonna take it
That virgin fall
there's gonna be some
When we let it up and let it breathe
And all the holes doused with grief
And planets up and time to leave
No Asian fire will leave us dire
Born again to Asian lion
There comes no telling how it will be
What's turned to smoke was in our hearts
And planets up, what we have lost
Foot racing from kitchens
Down alleys through gullys
Meeting every second hour
Never to come to terms with the [Incomprehensible]
Foot racing to Putabin Key
'Cause there's too much going on
To jeer on green goddesses
Local dignitaries and labor counselors
Always in touch by way of the community organ
We're about to be orphaned
Sleep on the left side
Keep the sword hand free
Whatever is gonna be
Is gonna be
For the 7th time
Without tumbling desire
Easy disease
We're gonna let it known
And let it go slow, let it go
Sleep on the left side
Sleep on the left side
Some sounds, some burdens can release
Some sounds, some burdens can release
Some sounds, some burdens
Sleep on the left side
Leave the right side free
Hope gets salted
As those around you leave
we're gonna let it up
Like India House on fire
We're gonna let it go
And let it go higher
Let it go
Sleep on the left side
Houcam is our call
We're gonna take it
That virgin fall
there's gonna be some
When we let it up and let it breathe
And all the holes doused with grief
And planets up and time to leave
No Asian fire will leave us dire
Born again to Asian lion
There comes no telling how it will be
What's turned to smoke was in our hearts
And planets up, what we have lost
Foot racing from kitchens
Down alleys through gullys
Meeting every second hour
Never to come to terms with the [Incomprehensible]
Foot racing to Putabin Key
'Cause there's too much going on
To jeer on green goddesses
Local dignitaries and labor counselors
Always in touch by way of the community organ
We're about to be orphaned
Sleep on the left side
Keep the sword hand free
Whatever is gonna be
Is gonna be
For the 7th time
Without tumbling desire
Easy disease
We're gonna let it known
And let it go slow, let it go
Sleep on the left side
Sleep on the left side
Some sounds, some burdens can release
Some sounds, some burdens can release
Some sounds, some burdens
Sleep on the left side
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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.
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
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/
My interpretation of this bit:
"To jeer on Green Goddesses, local dignitaries and Labour Councillors Always in touch by way of the community organ We were about to be orphaned"
is that it's a reference to the 'Winter of Discontent' of 1978/79 in Britain. Practically all the public services went on strike. It ended in a General Election in which Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party came to power. Those of a left-wing leaning would claim she tore the heart out of many communities in Britain. For me this section is a childhood reminiscence of that period.
The 'Green Goddesses' were old fire engines used by the Army. They covered for the normal fire service when they were on strike as in this period, hence the Green Goddesses on the streets. The Labour Councillors were local Government representatives of the ruling coalition, being jeered because of the state the country was in. 'We were about to be orphaned' refers to the coming of Thatcher.