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.
Thirty licks with a belt - same old tricks on myself
And I wonder does everyone else live this way
A succession of tests a triumphant success
Each time I'm still intact at the end of the day
thirty drops in a glass - keep my temper and pass
With my breath held you bastards you lucked out again!
Its not really so bad, there's still mom there's still
Damage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands
its no mystery: you should obviously go
Before I break everything
You're always telling me that you're dying to know
But you're not really listening
how do I manage to station myself in harms way
And only get hit with a ticket for loitering
That I have no way to pay - and no strength to argue
My personal demons can scheme with professional care
Oh, god, they're after me
If I could shut them out just for an second
I swear
I could stop this catastrophe
thirty day guarantee
But they can't have meant me
After all I was born to a childproof world
No sharp corners or glass,
Small objects or plastic bags
Please, these are death to a delicate girl
its no mystery - you should obviously know
That I'll destroy everything
So don't go telling me that you're dying to know
Cause you'll get what you're asking for
and I still manage to station my self in harm's way
And only get hit with a ticket for loitering
Stating I came the wrong day
Now all the demons are screaming their wages aren't fair
I've left a secret kept
If I could shut them up just for a second I swear
It'll look like an accident
I could be decent yet
The magnificent end
I could be president....
And I wonder does everyone else live this way
A succession of tests a triumphant success
Each time I'm still intact at the end of the day
thirty drops in a glass - keep my temper and pass
With my breath held you bastards you lucked out again!
Its not really so bad, there's still mom there's still
Damage to do before they wrest the axe from my hands
its no mystery: you should obviously go
Before I break everything
You're always telling me that you're dying to know
But you're not really listening
how do I manage to station myself in harms way
And only get hit with a ticket for loitering
That I have no way to pay - and no strength to argue
My personal demons can scheme with professional care
Oh, god, they're after me
If I could shut them out just for an second
I swear
I could stop this catastrophe
thirty day guarantee
But they can't have meant me
After all I was born to a childproof world
No sharp corners or glass,
Small objects or plastic bags
Please, these are death to a delicate girl
its no mystery - you should obviously know
That I'll destroy everything
So don't go telling me that you're dying to know
Cause you'll get what you're asking for
and I still manage to station my self in harm's way
And only get hit with a ticket for loitering
Stating I came the wrong day
Now all the demons are screaming their wages aren't fair
I've left a secret kept
If I could shut them up just for a second I swear
It'll look like an accident
I could be decent yet
The magnificent end
I could be president....
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
i agree with Sordida. This song can have multiple meanings, but it could also associate with Amanda's relationship with her Dad. (Like Half-Jack). Especially in the line 'there's still Mom, theres still da-mage' i don't know if it's just me, but i thought she was going to say 'Dad' when saying this, but instead, Amanda says 'damage'
Yet again, maybe i'm just crazy...