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.
Another lazy afternoon still fresh inside my head
The sun beats down as we drive around no expectations to hold us down
That car would take us anywhere, just be back before the sun
We drive right into that easy place where you are father and I am son
We're going for a drive
It's all in my mind
The smell of pleather and gasoline, our chrome starts to rust
The years that separate us now are the years we lost to our mistrust
I'm sorry for my absence but it isn't all my fault
I've come to a place where I can say that I'm not angry at you anymore
We're going for a drive
It's all in my mind
Looking straight ahead I'll be alright tonight
I look inside myself and find a piece of you in spite of me
It's getting easier to accept that I've become a lot like you again
I look inside myself and find a way out of this tangled web
I'm doing things to spite you now
I'm doing things to tear me down
So turn the radio up and we'll sit inside a memory
A silent moment locked in time
A signal that it'll be alright well
It's getting easier to live every day
I look inside myself and I find a piece of you
The sun beats down as we drive around no expectations to hold us down
That car would take us anywhere, just be back before the sun
We drive right into that easy place where you are father and I am son
We're going for a drive
It's all in my mind
The smell of pleather and gasoline, our chrome starts to rust
The years that separate us now are the years we lost to our mistrust
I'm sorry for my absence but it isn't all my fault
I've come to a place where I can say that I'm not angry at you anymore
We're going for a drive
It's all in my mind
Looking straight ahead I'll be alright tonight
I look inside myself and find a piece of you in spite of me
It's getting easier to accept that I've become a lot like you again
I look inside myself and find a way out of this tangled web
I'm doing things to spite you now
I'm doing things to tear me down
So turn the radio up and we'll sit inside a memory
A silent moment locked in time
A signal that it'll be alright well
It's getting easier to live every day
I look inside myself and I find a piece of you
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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
could be about a father-sonrelationship when taken literally