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'm serious
You'll see
I'm working on my abs
I'm working on me
Oh, I'm kickin'
Yeah, I'm calm
Oh, I'm kickin'
Television
Television
Stop shopping, even
Stop buying things
I'm kickin'
Yeah, I'm calm
Oh, I'm kickin'
Television
Television
Um..
Oh, I'm serious
You'll see
I'm kickin'
Yeah, I'm calm
Yeah, I'm kickin'
Television
Television
Television television
You'll see
I'm working on my abs
I'm working on me
Oh, I'm kickin'
Yeah, I'm calm
Oh, I'm kickin'
Television
Television
Stop shopping, even
Stop buying things
I'm kickin'
Yeah, I'm calm
Oh, I'm kickin'
Television
Television
Um..
Oh, I'm serious
You'll see
I'm kickin'
Yeah, I'm calm
Yeah, I'm kickin'
Television
Television
Television television
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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,
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Very cool track. Weird how Wilco's b-sides are better than most band's album tracks. :-)
i swear, in the live version it sounds like he says he's kicking masturbation in the ending verses
@illiterature7 That's cause he is!
yea i definetly heard him say masturbation twice in the lsat chorus in live in chicago
Plain and simple, it's a song about anti-consumerism.
Maybe that ties in to masturbation somehow, though :P
as for the masturbation part, its definately on the live in chicago. i think this song has to do with greed, and self pleasure. people do a lot these days for themselves to better their self satisfaction, but i feel like this is to more so motivate to "kick" those habits/sins.
Get off your ass and do your best to get out and be a part of life. Sure, we'll never be completley rid of antiproductive things like television, but at least we can try to enjoy being humans with other humans in a communal experience. So what's one good way to "kick" television??
Go to a Wilco show!
I think it's just a tounge-in-cheek song about getting healthy.
Summerteeth87 is on the right track. Definitely a subtle satire about people trying to improve themselves. Pretty apparent when he says "I'm serious...you'll see...", and uses such exaggerations as "stop shopping even". It's just about people that take improving yourself way too far.
It's pretty much a satire of an anti-everything attitude - and thats the predominant attitude today with anything mildly addictive (I use that in the loosest sense of the word), from TV to shopping to masturbation. But it's interesting that he picks Television as the main, and says the full word, seeing as he's always cited the band Television as a primary influence. Since this was around the time Wilco started being a bit mellower - and hence, less like Television - he might've thought he had given up that influence. The satire probably came in when he realized that even Wilco relies heavily on all of its influences. Or I could be full of crap.