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.
And you
Were right to bide your time
And not buy into my misery
Well the good things are never free
Do the colours of the rainbow
Look the same to everyone
An' I
Was rushing round in circles
For a reason to believe
Wipe the slime from off your sleeve
You could follow me for weeks
And I'm not going anywhere
Sometimes it's hard to love someone
Until the day that they are gone
An' I
Just had a dream the other night
I was married to the queen
And Madonna lived next door
I think she took a shine to me
And the kids were all grown up
But I had to turn her down
'Cause I was still in love with you
I'm turning Madonna down
I'm calling it my best move
I'll get her tickets for what she needs
I
Remember doing nothing
On the night, Sinatra died
And the night, Jeff Buckley died
And the night, Kurt Cobain died
And the night, John Lennon died
I remember I stayed up
To watch the news with everyone
And that was a lot of nights
And that was a lot of lives
Who lost the tickets to what they need
An' I
Was busy finding answers while
You just got on with real life
Always hoped you'd be my wife
But I never found the time
For the question to arrive
I just disguised it in a song
And songs
Are never quite the answer
Just a soundtrack to a life
That is over all too soon
Helps to turn the days to night
While I was wrong and you were right
And this was a lesson learned
I'm happy to be your fool
And get your tickets to what you need
I'm turning the lights down low
I'm ready to make my move
I'll get you tickets to what you need
Were right to bide your time
And not buy into my misery
Well the good things are never free
Do the colours of the rainbow
Look the same to everyone
An' I
Was rushing round in circles
For a reason to believe
Wipe the slime from off your sleeve
You could follow me for weeks
And I'm not going anywhere
Sometimes it's hard to love someone
Until the day that they are gone
An' I
Just had a dream the other night
I was married to the queen
And Madonna lived next door
I think she took a shine to me
And the kids were all grown up
But I had to turn her down
'Cause I was still in love with you
I'm turning Madonna down
I'm calling it my best move
I'll get her tickets for what she needs
I
Remember doing nothing
On the night, Sinatra died
And the night, Jeff Buckley died
And the night, Kurt Cobain died
And the night, John Lennon died
I remember I stayed up
To watch the news with everyone
And that was a lot of nights
And that was a lot of lives
Who lost the tickets to what they need
An' I
Was busy finding answers while
You just got on with real life
Always hoped you'd be my wife
But I never found the time
For the question to arrive
I just disguised it in a song
And songs
Are never quite the answer
Just a soundtrack to a life
That is over all too soon
Helps to turn the days to night
While I was wrong and you were right
And this was a lesson learned
I'm happy to be your fool
And get your tickets to what you need
I'm turning the lights down low
I'm ready to make my move
I'll get you tickets to what you need
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
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.
I first heard this song in late 2002 on satellite radio.
The meaning:
The first verse is the only one that starts with “You” meaning his former lover. The first verse and open line are his confessions of guilt. He questions his, and our, perspective by asking “do the colors of the rainbow look the same to everyone?” He admits that the relationship and he lacked a destination. “You could follow me for weeks…“ He then states that he now realizes the value the relationship had, but can only realize it in retrospect. “Sometimes….”
His dream refers to his realization that he would rather have a real relationship with a worthy woman “Married to the Queen” instead of a fantasy that could never be real. “Madonna; took a shine to me”
He sings of the deaths of other singers. This illustrates death, the passage of time and, most importantly, his maturation.
He realizes that he did not invest enough in his relationship because he was distracted by other things “Busy finding answers”. He realizes that he did care enough about this other person to have considered marriage. He also realizes that he allowed life to overwhelm him and never did find the courage to change his situation. He realizes that he can only have this relationship in nostalgia and in a song…he uses his songs and music as a coping mechanism.
He has learned and grown from this experience but he still whishes for the good thing he had with his old lover.
I really enjoyed reading this summation. Such a good song!