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.
Don't wake up, baby sister
Keep dreaming
Do you feel your cup?
Baby sister, keep drinking
Or he'll hit you
He'll bleach your eyes
So be a good girl just for the night
And run! Run!
Don't get stuck,
Baby sister, leave this land
and meet your bulls!
Baby sister, wash your hands
Or he'll hit you
He'll bleach your eyes
So be a good girl just for the night
And run! Run! Run! Run!
Run! Run! Run, baby sister, run!
Baby sister.
Keep dreaming
Do you feel your cup?
Baby sister, keep drinking
Or he'll hit you
He'll bleach your eyes
So be a good girl just for the night
And run! Run!
Don't get stuck,
Baby sister, leave this land
and meet your bulls!
Baby sister, wash your hands
Or he'll hit you
He'll bleach your eyes
So be a good girl just for the night
And run! Run! Run! Run!
Run! Run! Run, baby sister, run!
Baby sister.
Lyrics submitted by eleanorigby
Baby Sister Lyrics as written by Damien George Rice
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
No Surprises
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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
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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/
Plastic Bag
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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This is such a sad song. I think the lyrics speak for themselves.
i think its more haunting than sad... the ave maria just adds to the depressing beauty
I think (if you wanna' dig pretty deep) that the repetition of the music is perfect. It is just the right portrayal of how she is stuck in this place and can't escape, can't change.
This song to me is clearly about sexual abuse:
"Did he fill your cup? Baby sister, keep drinking
Or he'll hit you He'll bleach your eyes"
I think that's all pretty self-explanatory. I find the use of the verb "bleach" as a metaphor for coming particularly clever / beautiful (sad beauty, of course).
Oh yeah, and I think the "Ave Maria..." emphasises the baby sister's innocence / virginity if it had not been for her abusive father, seeing as "Ave Maria..." is meant to praise the Virgin Mary.
@CoconutCookie it’s so beautifully sad.
Oh yeah, and I think the "Ave Maria..." emphasises the baby sister's innocence / virginity if it had not been for her abusive father, seeing as "Ave Maria..." is meant to praise the Virgin Mary.
Wow, this song is so sad. I deffinetly agree that its about sexual abuse. I love that Damien Rice sings these beautiful (and often heartbreaking) songs that people can relate to. I personally dont relate to this song but someone else out there probably can.
@cmfitz93 it’s heartbreakingly beautiful.
a song he wrote when he was still in the band Juniper (who later became Bell X1).
I agree.
I could be wrong but I've always thought this song was partially about abuse. Maybe a brother encouraging his little sister to keep her head down, get on with things and "be a good girl" because their Dad is a bully.
"Baby sister, wash your hands Or he'll beat you" This strikes me as a scene where a very controlling father wants his family to be perfect and won't settle for less. And even if one of them do the slightest thing wrong, he'll beat them.
"And read your books" He's telling her to keep her head down and in a book. To avoid confrontation.
It's such a haunting song. I always think a dull, dark house that has no TV, or music and any entertainment. Where the kids have to follow strict rules and do completely as they're told. I also think the father is religious because of the "Ave Maria" reference.
But I could be completely wrong. In fact, I think I am, though that is my interpretation.
@ThePaperBackMummy i think you’re interpreted this perfectly. it’s so haunting. i can’t stop listening to it.