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.
Hey girl, get on the dancefloor
And rip it up, yeah
That's what it's there for
That's what it's there for
So rip it up, yeah
Ah rip it up and tear it up
Until you really don't know why
Until you don't know why
I seen a man there
Down at the station
He's got a head of ideas
Has just too many reservations
It turns me round, yeah
It breaks my heart, yeah
It rips me up and tears me up
You know I really don't know why
You know I don't know why
She says love is the law
Why don't you come round no more?
She says I loved you so much more
When you were down on the floor
I said well well
That ain't nothing
You got to rip it up
You got to pick a stitch
And turn me round, yeah
And break my heart, yeah
And rip me up and tear me up
You know I really don't know why
I really don't know why
Hey girl, get on the dance floor
Just like I told you
That's what it's there for
That's what it's there for
So rip it up, yeah
Ah rip it up and tear it up
Until you really don't know why
Until you don't know why
So rip it up, yeah
And tear it up. yeah
And just please don't stop
And rip it up
And rip it up, yeah
That's what it's there for
That's what it's there for
So rip it up, yeah
Ah rip it up and tear it up
Until you really don't know why
Until you don't know why
I seen a man there
Down at the station
He's got a head of ideas
Has just too many reservations
It turns me round, yeah
It breaks my heart, yeah
It rips me up and tears me up
You know I really don't know why
You know I don't know why
She says love is the law
Why don't you come round no more?
She says I loved you so much more
When you were down on the floor
I said well well
That ain't nothing
You got to rip it up
You got to pick a stitch
And turn me round, yeah
And break my heart, yeah
And rip me up and tear me up
You know I really don't know why
I really don't know why
Hey girl, get on the dance floor
Just like I told you
That's what it's there for
That's what it's there for
So rip it up, yeah
Ah rip it up and tear it up
Until you really don't know why
Until you don't know why
So rip it up, yeah
And tear it up. yeah
And just please don't stop
And rip it up
Lyrics submitted by St. martani
Rip It Up Lyrics as written by Johnny Borrell
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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.
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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
me too