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 hitchhiked up to Memphis, a young boy in my prime
I thought that big old city would ease my Georgia mind
After just one hour, I met a Southern girl
She said they call me the Queen of Memphis
And then she took me around the world
[Chorus]
I saw stars dancing on the water
I heard Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes
That old muddy river was my witness
The night I fell in love with the queen of Memphis
I woke up the next morning a prisoner of her charms
She showed me things I'd never seen back there on that farm
She set my soul on fire, she completed all my dreams
A boy became a man that night in the arms of the Memphis Queen
[Chorus]
Just like that old man river she keeps rolling through my mind
And you know I won't forget her 'cause she was one of a kind
[Chorus]
I thought that big old city would ease my Georgia mind
After just one hour, I met a Southern girl
She said they call me the Queen of Memphis
And then she took me around the world
[Chorus]
I saw stars dancing on the water
I heard Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes
That old muddy river was my witness
The night I fell in love with the queen of Memphis
I woke up the next morning a prisoner of her charms
She showed me things I'd never seen back there on that farm
She set my soul on fire, she completed all my dreams
A boy became a man that night in the arms of the Memphis Queen
[Chorus]
Just like that old man river she keeps rolling through my mind
And you know I won't forget her 'cause she was one of a kind
[Chorus]
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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”
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 first heard this song as an innocent pre-teen living. I believe this act was on the first I had ever seen in concert. At that age, you never expected a country song to be dirty, let alone what it really implied. Now, more than one decade has passed, and I understand the meaning. It's about an innocent guy who meets a hooker and immediately falls in love. What you don't hear is how she cleaned him out and how he ended up alone or taking a dead end job only until he had enough to make the long, lonely bus trip home. After one decade, it's amazing what a mind can come up with. It's a great song and that's why it had an effect on me.