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.
They say Taylor was a good girl, never one to be late
Complain, express ideas in her brain
Working on the night shift, passing out the tickets
You're gonna have to pay her if you want to park here
Well mommy's little dancer is quite a little secret
Working on the streets now, never gonna keep it
It's quite an imposition and now she's only wishin'
That she would have listened to the words they said
Poor Taylor
She just wanders around, unaffected by,
The winter winds here, she'll pretend that
She's somewhere else, so far and clear
About two thousand miles, from here
Well Peter Patrick pitter patters on the window,
The sunny silhouette won't let him in
And poor old Pete's got nothing 'cause he's been falling
And somehow sunny knows just where he's been
He thinks that singin' on Sunday's gonna save his soul
Now that Saturday's gone
And sometimes he thinks that he's on his way,
But I can see, that his brake lights are on
He just wanders around, unaffected by,
The winter winds here, and he'll pretend that
He's somewhere else, so far and clear,
About two thousand miles from here
Such a tough enchilada, filled up with nada
Givin' what you gotta give to get a dollar bill
Used to be a limber chicken, times have been a ticking
Now she's finger lickin' to the man
With the money in his pocket, flying in his rocket
And only stopping by on his way to a better world
If Taylor finds a better world
Then Taylor's gonna run away
Complain, express ideas in her brain
Working on the night shift, passing out the tickets
You're gonna have to pay her if you want to park here
Well mommy's little dancer is quite a little secret
Working on the streets now, never gonna keep it
It's quite an imposition and now she's only wishin'
That she would have listened to the words they said
Poor Taylor
She just wanders around, unaffected by,
The winter winds here, she'll pretend that
She's somewhere else, so far and clear
About two thousand miles, from here
Well Peter Patrick pitter patters on the window,
The sunny silhouette won't let him in
And poor old Pete's got nothing 'cause he's been falling
And somehow sunny knows just where he's been
He thinks that singin' on Sunday's gonna save his soul
Now that Saturday's gone
And sometimes he thinks that he's on his way,
But I can see, that his brake lights are on
He just wanders around, unaffected by,
The winter winds here, and he'll pretend that
He's somewhere else, so far and clear,
About two thousand miles from here
Such a tough enchilada, filled up with nada
Givin' what you gotta give to get a dollar bill
Used to be a limber chicken, times have been a ticking
Now she's finger lickin' to the man
With the money in his pocket, flying in his rocket
And only stopping by on his way to a better world
If Taylor finds a better world
Then Taylor's gonna run away
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
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”
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.
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/
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.
This is by far the best song off of On and On.
The song shows the unpredictability of life through two people’s stories. Taylor’s life goes from the straight and narrow of getting good grades and working as a parking attendant; to being pregnant contemplating an abortion, and walking the streets “givin what you gotta give to get a dollar bill.” All along she imagines being two thousand miles away (a reference to Hawaii).<br /> Then there is Peter Patrick. Peter “pitter patters on the window,” stands for him trying to get into heaven; “sunny silhouette won’t let him in,” tells how God will not let Peter into heaven because of the sins he has committed.<br /> Peter thinks that going to going to church will change his soul’s fate, but every time he is on his way the reality is that he is not making any progress at all.<br /> Both Taylor and Peter are yearning for the unattainable “better world.”<br /> Hi Ms. Lee. #<br />