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 heard that you went out last night
And you looked beautiful
Just like a bat beneath the moonlight
I stayed home took a Vicodin
Sometimes it's all that I can do
When I think about the president
How did he become the president?
And I stayed awake for a day or two
I thought about the world
Drank gin and watched the news
And there are some things I'll never understand
Why a country needs a god and a woman needs a man
And you never write me letters
And you never sent my sweaters
So I could stay warm when I was without you
Without you I don't sleep
Just dream...
And I scratched these words into a black notebook
I wrote your name on top, I knew you'd never look
I tried my best to fight the atmosphere
To think the happy thoughts that leave the phone lines clear
I see Arizona stars from here
But Peter Pan is miles away
And you never write me letters
And you never sent my sweaters
So I could stay warm when I was without you
Without you I don't have
A place that's safe from all the monsters
That hide in my head & sing me to sleep
Sleep
This is the last straw
"This is the last straw," she said,
"I won't wait for you forever
While you run around like JFK.
We watched that poor girl waste the best years of her life
And I'll be damned if I'm going out,
I will not go out that way."
And you never write me letters
And you never sent my sweaters
So you could stay warm when I was gone
Without you I don't have
A place that's safe from all the monsters
That hide in my head & keep me 'til dawn
I think this is the last straw
And you looked beautiful
Just like a bat beneath the moonlight
I stayed home took a Vicodin
Sometimes it's all that I can do
When I think about the president
How did he become the president?
And I stayed awake for a day or two
I thought about the world
Drank gin and watched the news
And there are some things I'll never understand
Why a country needs a god and a woman needs a man
And you never write me letters
And you never sent my sweaters
So I could stay warm when I was without you
Without you I don't sleep
Just dream...
And I scratched these words into a black notebook
I wrote your name on top, I knew you'd never look
I tried my best to fight the atmosphere
To think the happy thoughts that leave the phone lines clear
I see Arizona stars from here
But Peter Pan is miles away
And you never write me letters
And you never sent my sweaters
So I could stay warm when I was without you
Without you I don't have
A place that's safe from all the monsters
That hide in my head & sing me to sleep
Sleep
This is the last straw
"This is the last straw," she said,
"I won't wait for you forever
While you run around like JFK.
We watched that poor girl waste the best years of her life
And I'll be damned if I'm going out,
I will not go out that way."
And you never write me letters
And you never sent my sweaters
So you could stay warm when I was gone
Without you I don't have
A place that's safe from all the monsters
That hide in my head & keep me 'til dawn
I think this is the last straw
Lyrics submitted by nikki04
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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.
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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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
i think andrew's lyrics are very poetic so there must be a lot of interpertations but you guys really analyzed this one to a science.