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 talk to you as to a friend
I hope that's what you've
Come to be
It feels as though we've
Made amends
Like we found a way
Eventually
It was you who picked
The pieces up
When I was a broken soul
And then glued me
Back together
Returned to me what
Others stole
I don't want to hurt you
I don't want to make you sway
Like I know I've done before
I will not do it anymore
I've always been a dreamer
I've had my head among
The clouds
Now that I'm coming down
Won't you be my solid ground?
I look at you and see a friend
I hope that's what you want to be
Are we back now where
It all began?
Have you finally forgiven me?
You gathered my dreams in
When they all blew away
And then tricked them
Back into me
You saved me I was
Almost dead
You saved me when I was almost dead.
I don't want to hurt you,
I don't want to make you sway.
Like I've done before,
I will not do it anymore.
[Repeat x2]
I've always been a dreamer,
I've had my head among the clouds.
But now that I´m coming down,
Won't you be my solid ground?
I hope that's what you've
Come to be
It feels as though we've
Made amends
Like we found a way
Eventually
It was you who picked
The pieces up
When I was a broken soul
And then glued me
Back together
Returned to me what
Others stole
I don't want to hurt you
I don't want to make you sway
Like I know I've done before
I will not do it anymore
I've always been a dreamer
I've had my head among
The clouds
Now that I'm coming down
Won't you be my solid ground?
I look at you and see a friend
I hope that's what you want to be
Are we back now where
It all began?
Have you finally forgiven me?
You gathered my dreams in
When they all blew away
And then tricked them
Back into me
You saved me I was
Almost dead
You saved me when I was almost dead.
I don't want to hurt you,
I don't want to make you sway.
Like I've done before,
I will not do it anymore.
[Repeat x2]
I've always been a dreamer,
I've had my head among the clouds.
But now that I´m coming down,
Won't you be my solid ground?
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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”
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/
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 think this is about a guy who was friends with someone and he kind of wanted to be more...and he was kind of the boat rocker, and the other person was the one who was trying to hold on to what they had. Then he finally realizes what he's done and promises he wont do anything anymore. They started out friends and now they kind of ended up where they started. Though he admits to his wrong being and wants to continue with what they had. Also she was the one who made him what he is today. -she forgives him
i pick to agree with your view on the song because then i can relate it to myself lol
To me it seems as if he and somebody he was in a former relationship with have finally made amends and become friends. And he's sorry for all of the times he hurt her in the end because when looking at the whole situation she was the one who pieced him back together and saved him from a troubled time with her love.
I don't know how many times I have cried to this song. It somehow touches me every time. I love it, and at the same time I hate it so god damn much!
i love this song
I don’t wanna hurt you I don’t wanna make you sway Like I know I’ve done before I will not do it anymore I’ve always been a dreamer I've had my head among the clouds Now that I’m coming down Won’t you be my solid ground?
such a good chorus it makes me want to never change the song.
Sounds better in Simlish.
Just kidding.
LTJpunkRk13 you're right on w/ the meaning
I have a love and hate relationship w/ this song, described my relationship w/ my best friend so well...
haha. I have the Simlish version on my Myspace page. I'm such a nerd :)
But I really like the lyrics, even though I'm not in a similar situation so I can't really relate. . . but:
"It was you who picked the pieces up When I was a broken soul And then glued me back together Returned to me what others stole"
"I’ve always been a dreamer I've had my head among the clouds Now that I’m coming down Won’t you be my solid ground?"
"You gathered my dreams in When they all blew away And then tricked them back into me You saved me I was almost dead"
Those three parts are BEAUTIFULLY written and can be related to anyone who's been an important part of your life.
This song is beautiful. They have someone to be their solid ground...what more do you need? :)
beautiful song. featured in veronica mars.
This is a very meaningful song to me as it marked the end of the really awkward relationship I've had with a girl. Unfortunately, things didn't play out in life as they do in the song. I really wish they did. I think out of the many broken relationship songs I've heard, Sway and Trouble Sleeping describe what happened to me most.
Thank you for the songs, guys.