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.
I feel a little bit left of center
but then again we've all been there before
Every time I see a lost cause coming
it's nothing less, nothing more
Every time I get lost in paradise
I find a way to screw it up somehow
It's not the way it's supposed to be
but it'll do for now
When you're right, you're right
Everything else in my life just might be wrong
You're wrong all the time
So far so good 'cause no one knows I'm faking
I wish I could show you the toll it's taking
Sometimes I live as if there's no tomorrow
So far so good
I better find a way to cross my fingers
half the luck'll get me twice as far
I'm sick and tired of coming up for air
it shouldn't be this hard
Every little bit'll help I wonder
if it's enough or did I cross the line
The kitchen counter is a bad reminder of a better time
When you're right, you're right
Everything else in my life just might be wrong
You're wrong all the time
So far so good 'cause no one knows I'm faking
I wish I could show you the toll it's taking
Sometimes I live as if there's no tomorrow
So far so good
When you're right
Everything else you messed up just might be wrong
You're wrong all the time
So far so good 'cause no one knows I'm faking
I wish I could show you the toll it's taking
Sometimes I live as if there's no tomorrow
So far so good
but then again we've all been there before
Every time I see a lost cause coming
it's nothing less, nothing more
Every time I get lost in paradise
I find a way to screw it up somehow
It's not the way it's supposed to be
but it'll do for now
When you're right, you're right
Everything else in my life just might be wrong
You're wrong all the time
So far so good 'cause no one knows I'm faking
I wish I could show you the toll it's taking
Sometimes I live as if there's no tomorrow
So far so good
I better find a way to cross my fingers
half the luck'll get me twice as far
I'm sick and tired of coming up for air
it shouldn't be this hard
Every little bit'll help I wonder
if it's enough or did I cross the line
The kitchen counter is a bad reminder of a better time
When you're right, you're right
Everything else in my life just might be wrong
You're wrong all the time
So far so good 'cause no one knows I'm faking
I wish I could show you the toll it's taking
Sometimes I live as if there's no tomorrow
So far so good
When you're right
Everything else you messed up just might be wrong
You're wrong all the time
So far so good 'cause no one knows I'm faking
I wish I could show you the toll it's taking
Sometimes I live as if there's no tomorrow
So far so good
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
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.
I ... positively can not believe no one has said it so far: this song is about addiction, pure and simple. Drug addiction, if you so fancy, but addiction in general.
"So far, so good, 'cause no one knows I'm taking."
Addicts are generally ashamed to admit they are addicted, and are too ashamed to tell other people. He feels good that his problem hasn't become out of control. As an addict, I can not tell you how much these lyrics resonate with me. Especially this bit: "When you're right, you're right everything else in my life just me be wrong, you're wrong All the time"
You know what you're doing is wrong, but at the moment it feels so right that everything in the world MUST be wrong. And afterward ... soon after, the sobering realization of how WRONG this all is, and then depression sets in, and then you feel yourself falling. Falling out of the high, and falling, worse yet, into reality. You are shit and all you've done is shit. Nothing has ever gone right.
So far so good though, you're not at 0.0 yet.