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 pick things up
I am a collector
And things, well things
They tend to accumulate
I have this net
It drags behind me
It picks up feelings
For me to feed upon
There are times, plenty of times
I wish I could let it go
But they start to breathe
And they start to grow inside me
There are times, plenty of times
I wish I could let it go
But they start to make me think
Things I don't wanna know
I'm trying to fit it all inside
I'm trying to open my mouth wide
I'm trying not to choke and
Swallow it all, swallow it all
Swallow it all, swallow it all
I am the plague I am the swarm
All your hurt sticks on me
And I'm keeping it warm
They will make me stay, they won't let me leave
There are so god damned many of them
It gets hard to breath
I'm trying to fit it all inside
I'm trying to open my mouth wide
I'm trying not to choke inside
I am a good boy and I will
Swallow it all, swallow it all
Swallow it all, swallow it all
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
I am a collector
And things, well things
They tend to accumulate
I have this net
It drags behind me
It picks up feelings
For me to feed upon
There are times, plenty of times
I wish I could let it go
But they start to breathe
And they start to grow inside me
There are times, plenty of times
I wish I could let it go
But they start to make me think
Things I don't wanna know
I'm trying to fit it all inside
I'm trying to open my mouth wide
I'm trying not to choke and
Swallow it all, swallow it all
Swallow it all, swallow it all
I am the plague I am the swarm
All your hurt sticks on me
And I'm keeping it warm
They will make me stay, they won't let me leave
There are so god damned many of them
It gets hard to breath
I'm trying to fit it all inside
I'm trying to open my mouth wide
I'm trying not to choke inside
I am a good boy and I will
Swallow it all, swallow it all
Swallow it all, swallow it all
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Every last one
Lyrics submitted by 1nfinity, edited by blackcats111
The Collector Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
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/
At first, I must say, I did not enjoy this song at all. Then I started listening to the lyrics.
It seems to me that the song is talking about a man who feels the need to take on everyone else's problems and make them his own. He doesn't like it, but it's just how he's made.
It might be just how I'm feeling right now, but I immediately identified with this song. Lately I've felt the need to be there for these people in my life that have so many problems; I feel the need to make each person's life better, as if I can somehow affect the outcome of their situation no matter how large and untouchable it may be. The lines talking about these things accumulating behind him, picking up feelings for him to feed upon... totally make sense to me.