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 never thought abouit the universe, it made me feel small
I never thought about the problems of this planet at all
Global warming and radioactive sites
The imperialistic wrongs and animal rights, NO!
Why think all the bad things when life is so good
Why help with an "am" when there's always a "could"
Let the whales worry 'bout the poisons in the sea outside of California, it's foreign policy
No I don't want changes I've no reactions your dilemmas are my distractions
That's no way to go Franco Un-American, that's no way to go Franco Un-American
I never looked around never second guessed, then I read some Howard Zinn now I'm always depressed
And now I can't sleep from years of apathy, all because I read a little Noam Chomsky
I'm eating vegetation 'cause a Fast Food Nation, I wear uncomfortable shoes 'cause of globalization
I'm watching Michael Moore expose the awful truth, I'm listening to Public Enemy and Reagan Youth
I see no world peace 'cause of zealous armed forces, I eat no breath mints 'cause they're from de-hoofed horses
Now I can't believe what an absolute failure, the president's laughing 'cause we voted for Nader
That's no way to go Franco Un-American, where can we go Franco Un-American
I want to move north and be a Canadian, or hang down low with the nice Australians
I don't want to be another I don't care-ican, what are we gonna do Franco Franco
I never thought about the problems of this planet at all
Global warming and radioactive sites
The imperialistic wrongs and animal rights, NO!
Why think all the bad things when life is so good
Why help with an "am" when there's always a "could"
Let the whales worry 'bout the poisons in the sea outside of California, it's foreign policy
No I don't want changes I've no reactions your dilemmas are my distractions
That's no way to go Franco Un-American, that's no way to go Franco Un-American
I never looked around never second guessed, then I read some Howard Zinn now I'm always depressed
And now I can't sleep from years of apathy, all because I read a little Noam Chomsky
I'm eating vegetation 'cause a Fast Food Nation, I wear uncomfortable shoes 'cause of globalization
I'm watching Michael Moore expose the awful truth, I'm listening to Public Enemy and Reagan Youth
I see no world peace 'cause of zealous armed forces, I eat no breath mints 'cause they're from de-hoofed horses
Now I can't believe what an absolute failure, the president's laughing 'cause we voted for Nader
That's no way to go Franco Un-American, where can we go Franco Un-American
I want to move north and be a Canadian, or hang down low with the nice Australians
I don't want to be another I don't care-ican, what are we gonna do Franco Franco
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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.
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
so clasicrock pretty much got it right about am vs. could but i'll add some more: he's saying he's tired of people just talking and not doing anything (eg: darfur sudan. there's a genocide taking place and everyone looks the other way. another rwanda, another holocaust). people need to face the truth and stop looking at processed news and living in thier bubble. another thought: this song really makes me think about my hometown fo Berkeley CA (which not coincidentally is where NOFX was formed). everyone there is totally liberal (including me). in 2000 the question was nader vs. gore. but at the same time it's really annoying how people are obsessed with politically correct and in a way is as blind as the conservatives they hate. in the schools, is all so fucking holistic and "how do you FEEL? do you want to draw a picture?" they say math and science are elitist and they're "tired of catering to college-bound students". i'm sorry but minorities don't need another person telling they've been victimized (even though they have) so they can blame everyone else for their failure. so while the song is talking about eveything he doesn't like about the US, it's also poking a little fun at people who are totally politically correct " read some Howard Zinn now I'm always depressed". if you only focus on the bad, like some liberals do, you can spend your whole life moping about how horrible the world is and not actually do anything.