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.
Baby, everything has fallen into place
My life is so exciting now I've got my space
Like a splash of water on my face
Lately I'm doing what I can do to pleasure me
I'm finding time to focus on my fantasies
I'm satisfied in my own company
I don't need your permission
To take this matter in my own two hands
'Cause I'm holding my own
Give or take a tear or two
I'm holding my own
No matter what I put myself through
Lady, all we seem to do is talk about
We take apart and analyze our ins and outs
Honey, I would rather do without
No-one to answer to
I won't spend another lifetime begging you
'Cause I'm holding my own
Give or take a tear or two
I'm holding my own
No matter what I put myself through
I'm holding my own
There's a spring in my stride
There's a twinkle in my dying eyes
'Cause I'm holding my own
Give or take a tear or two
I'm holding my own
No matter what I put myself through
My life is so exciting now I've got my space
Like a splash of water on my face
Lately I'm doing what I can do to pleasure me
I'm finding time to focus on my fantasies
I'm satisfied in my own company
I don't need your permission
To take this matter in my own two hands
'Cause I'm holding my own
Give or take a tear or two
I'm holding my own
No matter what I put myself through
Lady, all we seem to do is talk about
We take apart and analyze our ins and outs
Honey, I would rather do without
No-one to answer to
I won't spend another lifetime begging you
'Cause I'm holding my own
Give or take a tear or two
I'm holding my own
No matter what I put myself through
I'm holding my own
There's a spring in my stride
There's a twinkle in my dying eyes
'Cause I'm holding my own
Give or take a tear or two
I'm holding my own
No matter what I put myself through
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Light Up The Sky
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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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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
This song is about masturbation. Simple as that.
masturbation. if they seriously could write a song about genital warts [growing on me] then they could write a song on masturbation.
as ed graham (drummer) said: 'Holding My Own is about wanking. But if you can look past that, its got a deeper meaning.'
This song is about masturbation, but to me it's always been an anthem for the sweet release of getting our of a long term relationship that you felt trapped under. I really connect to it with that meaning of a new found personal freedom.
I read in Rolling Stone that it was about masturbation. But then again. . .it IS Rolling Stone. . .
this song=<3
what the hell is <3? pretty nice melody in this song
\//peace
i agree with the darkness rock...i saw an interview with ed and he said basically that
hmmm this is a dilly of a pickle. I dunno if it's about masturbation or not. When i first heard it i didn't think of masturbation. But then again, it does kinda fit in. .. mainly the first paragraph tho.. ANd LoveMeMoreThanToast commented the rolling stone said it was about masturbation.... i just don't know..(by the way DARKNESS ARE AWESOME WHOO!)
its about wanking.... to put it simply