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.
Light me a smoke
I'll tell you a story
Of how the west was won
Flew over diamonds
East river shining
A city sinking in the mud
And in a second
A life-long second
I knew what we'd become
We use up people, use up time
Use up places, we say goodbye
Searching for the crowded hour
Now there's a buzzing in the wires
Look for lightning in your eyes
And I see it there
Hey hey Rockstar
Let's play happy
This could be our final hour
I'll take your picture
But who needs pictures?
They only strip you of your power
Don't lose your nerve now
Feel the curve of the earth now
Rising up to meet your feet
We use up people, use up time
Use up places, we say goodbye
Never find the crowded hour
It's time to move the saints again
Curse the sun to kill the rain
I wish I knew just how
We should have driven
Out to the ocean
Our hands tied to the wheel
Now something's broken
Don't know what's broken
Or if I want it healed
We use up people, use up time
Use up places, we say goodbye
Where the hell's the crowded hour
Scattered thoughts and promises
Let the wind take all that's left
There's nothing for you here
So take a card and put it back
Hide the faces cut the pack
The future's not that clear
Light me a smoke
I'll tell you a story
Of how the west was won
You wanted glory
Well here's your glory
Just look what we've become
I'll tell you a story
Of how the west was won
Flew over diamonds
East river shining
A city sinking in the mud
And in a second
A life-long second
I knew what we'd become
We use up people, use up time
Use up places, we say goodbye
Searching for the crowded hour
Now there's a buzzing in the wires
Look for lightning in your eyes
And I see it there
Hey hey Rockstar
Let's play happy
This could be our final hour
I'll take your picture
But who needs pictures?
They only strip you of your power
Don't lose your nerve now
Feel the curve of the earth now
Rising up to meet your feet
We use up people, use up time
Use up places, we say goodbye
Never find the crowded hour
It's time to move the saints again
Curse the sun to kill the rain
I wish I knew just how
We should have driven
Out to the ocean
Our hands tied to the wheel
Now something's broken
Don't know what's broken
Or if I want it healed
We use up people, use up time
Use up places, we say goodbye
Where the hell's the crowded hour
Scattered thoughts and promises
Let the wind take all that's left
There's nothing for you here
So take a card and put it back
Hide the faces cut the pack
The future's not that clear
Light me a smoke
I'll tell you a story
Of how the west was won
You wanted glory
Well here's your glory
Just look what we've become
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
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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/
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.
This is about how capitalism will be the death of us. It shows evidence #1, the extermination of the native americans.