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.
It was the first snow of the season
I can almost see you breathing in the middle of that empty street
Sometimes I still see myself in that lonesome bedroom
Playing my guitar and singing songs of hope for a better future
Life is only as good as the memories we make
And I'm taking back what belongs to me
Polaroids of classrooms unattended
These relics of remembrance are just like shipwrecks
Only they're gone faster than the smell after it rains
Last night while everyone was sleeping
I drove through my old neighborhood
And resurrected memories from ashes.
We said that we would never fit in
When we were really just like them
Does rebellion ever make a difference?
So long, Astoria, I found a map of buried treasure
And even if we come home empty handed we'll still have our stories
Of battlescars, pirate ships, and wounded hearts
Broken bones and all the best of friendships
And when this hourglass
Has filtered out its final grain of sand
I'll raise my glass to the memories we had
This is my wish and I'm taking it back
I'm taking 'em all back
I can almost see you breathing in the middle of that empty street
Sometimes I still see myself in that lonesome bedroom
Playing my guitar and singing songs of hope for a better future
Life is only as good as the memories we make
And I'm taking back what belongs to me
Polaroids of classrooms unattended
These relics of remembrance are just like shipwrecks
Only they're gone faster than the smell after it rains
Last night while everyone was sleeping
I drove through my old neighborhood
And resurrected memories from ashes.
We said that we would never fit in
When we were really just like them
Does rebellion ever make a difference?
So long, Astoria, I found a map of buried treasure
And even if we come home empty handed we'll still have our stories
Of battlescars, pirate ships, and wounded hearts
Broken bones and all the best of friendships
And when this hourglass
Has filtered out its final grain of sand
I'll raise my glass to the memories we had
This is my wish and I'm taking it back
I'm taking 'em all back
Lyrics submitted by ADimeADexter
So Long, Astoria Lyrics as written by Kristopher Lee Roe
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"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.
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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.
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"'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/
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one of my favorite songs by the ataris... he's talking about going back and thinking of when he was younger. and even though they have nothing to show, they'll always have the memories. this song has a few classic lines: "we said that we would never fit in, when we were really just like them. does rebellion ever make a difference?" and i also like "life is only as good as the memories we make..."