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.
Dear Jamie, I've got a letter I would like to send
It's lacking strings of words with punctuation at the ends
But should I trust this dialect
To convey the right effect?
Dear Jamie, I've got some things I'd like to set in pen
I would have used a pencil, but lead's just not permanent
But should I trust my printer's ink
To express the things I think?
Every page, I tried my best to think of something to contest
With inside jokes and other folks who've got much more to say
Dear Jamie, this envelope will represent my heart
I'll seal it, send it off, and wish it luck with its depart
And this stamp will be every action that carries my affection
Across the air and land and sea
But should I trust the postage due
To deliver my heart to you?
Every page, I tried my best to think of something to contest
With inside jokes and other folks who've got much more to say
Every page, I tried my best to fill with something to contest
With inside jokes and other folks who've got much more to say
I'll give you all I can
A flower and a hand
I hope this helps you see
Signed, sincerely me
It's lacking strings of words with punctuation at the ends
But should I trust this dialect
To convey the right effect?
Dear Jamie, I've got some things I'd like to set in pen
I would have used a pencil, but lead's just not permanent
But should I trust my printer's ink
To express the things I think?
Every page, I tried my best to think of something to contest
With inside jokes and other folks who've got much more to say
Dear Jamie, this envelope will represent my heart
I'll seal it, send it off, and wish it luck with its depart
And this stamp will be every action that carries my affection
Across the air and land and sea
But should I trust the postage due
To deliver my heart to you?
Every page, I tried my best to think of something to contest
With inside jokes and other folks who've got much more to say
Every page, I tried my best to fill with something to contest
With inside jokes and other folks who've got much more to say
I'll give you all I can
A flower and a hand
I hope this helps you see
Signed, sincerely me
Lyrics submitted by xmakeitlegible, edited by priscilla5, imrightherehey
Dear Jamie... Sincerely Me Lyrics as written by Forrest Kline
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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.
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.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I kind of understand the "think of somethng to contest with inside jokes and all the folks who've got much more to say" part. It seems when you meet someone they've already got their little inside jokes and what have you with other people, which can be intimidating when you're just some nobody to them.
i have tried to correct this song at least 3 times and it hasn't accepted (that was at least like 2 years ago). This is horrible. Here are the real lyrics, if anyone looked it up for them: (note, i don't know about the chorus so I largely haven't edited that part, or the last stanza. if you see something wrong, lemme know)
Dear Jamie, I've got a letter I would like to send. It's locking strings of words with punctuation at the end. Should I trust this dialect? To convey the right effect?
Dear Jamie, I've got some things I'd like to set in pen. I would have used a pencil but lead's just not permanent. Should I trust my printer's ink? To express the things I think?
Everything I've tried my best to think of something to contest With inside jokes and all the folks who have much more to say
Dear Jamie, This envelope will represent my heart. I'll seal it, send it off, and wish it luck with its depart. This stamp will be every action and carry my affection Across the air, and land, and sea. Should I trust the postage due? To deliver my heart to you?
Everything I've tried my best to think of something to contest With inside jokes and all the folks who have much more to say Everything I've tried my best to think of something to contest With inside jokes and all the folks who have much more to say
Give it all I can Flower and a hand I hope this helps you see... Signed, Sincerely, me
I love the feel of this song, it's so peaceful, even when the guitars come in later. It's awesome. Some of the words are wrong in here... in the first verse... "dial act" should be "dialect".
in the chorus, "every thing" should be "ever page"
"have much more to say" should be "have got much more to say"
"air and land easy" should be "air and land and sea"
-ace
Dear Jamie I've got a letter I would like to send It's lacking strings of words with punctuation at the end. Should I trust this dial act? To convey the right effect?
(he wants to make sure that the words he say and right and he says them all right)
Dear Jamie I've got some things I'd like to set in pen I would have used a pencil but that's just not permanent.
(it has to be permanent because what happened is permenent and what will happen is also)
Should I trust my printer's ink? To express the things I think?
(should he trust what he write to express what he thinks the right way with out it turning out to mean soemthin that he didn't want it to mean)
[Chorus]
Everything I've tried my best to think of something to contest With inside jokes and all the folks could have much more to say
(he is cracking jokes cuz he is tryin to hide his feelings and other people know it so they have some htings to say about it)
[Verse]
Dear Jamie this envelope have the resent my heart (everything he wrote came from his heart) I'll seal it, send it off and wish it luck with its depart. This stamp will be every action and carry my affection (the stamp is what is takeing it to its destianation so its his actions and it carries his affection) Across the air and land easy Should I trust the poster's due? To deliver my heart to you? (he has to pay the due to send it and it'll deleive his heart)
[Chorus]
Everything I've tried my best to think of something to contest With inside jokes and all the folks could have much more to say Everything I've tried my best to think of something to contest With inside jokes and all the folks could have much more to say
Give it up I can (he would give it up for her) Flower and a hand (he would give her a flow and when he says his hand i think he mean like a hand in marridge maybe) I hope this helps you see (he wants her to see how much she means to him) Signed Sincerely me.
its postage due, not poster's due haha
** should I trust this dialect?
yeaah.. good song.
aarruugghh!!!! Can I correct this song, PLEASE?!
best hellogoodbye song ever.
actually jamieslink it's should i trust the postage dude.
okay just kidding. i just listened to it. my boyfriend sings it wrong.