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.
The simple minded
And the ill informed
Can be easily led astray
And those that cannot connect the dots
Hey look the other way
People believe what they want to believe
When it makes no sense at all
And I wish you all along the sideline
The strength to
Walk tall
Yeah walk on
Through this world
Walk tall
Somewhere out in the distance
Is the death of you and me
Even though we don't think of it much
It's still out there for us to see
If you treat life like a bar room fight
You'll die stinking of gin
No drunkards are allowed in heaven
No sinners will get in
Walk tall
Yeah, walk on
Walk tall
Through this world
Walk tall
So be careful in what you believe in
There's plenty to get you confused
And in this land called paradise
You must walk in many men's shoes
Bigotry and hatred are enemies to us all
Grace, mercy and forgiveness
Will help a man walk tall
So walk tall
Yeah, walk on
Walk tall
Through this world
Through this world
Yeah, walk tall
Then walk on
Walk tall
Then walk on
Through this world
Through this world
Through this world
Through this world
Walk tall
Walk tall
Then walk on
Walk tall
And the ill informed
Can be easily led astray
And those that cannot connect the dots
Hey look the other way
People believe what they want to believe
When it makes no sense at all
And I wish you all along the sideline
The strength to
Walk tall
Yeah walk on
Through this world
Walk tall
Somewhere out in the distance
Is the death of you and me
Even though we don't think of it much
It's still out there for us to see
If you treat life like a bar room fight
You'll die stinking of gin
No drunkards are allowed in heaven
No sinners will get in
Walk tall
Yeah, walk on
Walk tall
Through this world
Walk tall
So be careful in what you believe in
There's plenty to get you confused
And in this land called paradise
You must walk in many men's shoes
Bigotry and hatred are enemies to us all
Grace, mercy and forgiveness
Will help a man walk tall
So walk tall
Yeah, walk on
Walk tall
Through this world
Through this world
Yeah, walk tall
Then walk on
Walk tall
Then walk on
Through this world
Through this world
Through this world
Through this world
Walk tall
Walk tall
Then walk on
Walk tall
Lyrics submitted by aardls, edited by MusicalManiac1
Walk Tall Lyrics as written by John Mellencamp
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Mellencamp says he's for "Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness..." except for white Republican Christians, which his lyrics: "So be careful of those killing in Jesus's name - He don't believe in killing at all" were suspiciously censored here. He wrote this song when Bush won his 2nd term. Insulting many of his fans and neighbors: "...The simple minded..." "...the ill informed..." "...easily led astray..." "...cannot connect the dots..." in his middle America he brags about so much in life and his music. John's a hipocrite. Keep puffing away there, Commie Atheist.
"The simple minded And the uninformed Can be easily led astray"
So those who don't agree with Mellencamp's world view are simple minded and uninformed. Gotcha. Pompous ass.
You don't believe this country has a plethora of ignorant people in it? It makes perfect sense to me and no one's ever called me pompous. I think the song--a suggestion to "Walk Tall" amidst the ignorance, bigotry, racism, narrow-mindedness that infect so many in this country--is not only clearly sensible but also very positive. I think your comment could use some support (what about this song makes the writer/singer seem pompous to you? Is there actual evidence that the singer/songwriter believes that everyone who doesn't agree with his viewpoint are simple minded and uniformed, or is that an inference you've made based on personal perspective rather than empirical support? Could he be referring people of the type like that old lady at a John McCain presidential rally years ago who called Obama a "Muslim, Arab, and a terrorist," and the "Birthers" who genuinely believe the president was born in Africa? Or who don't know where South America is and have never heart of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or even Pakistan? Who believe California is an island near Greenland?
These lyrics at the end of the first verse, "And I wish you all along the sideline/ The strength to" are not the actual lyrics he sings. He sings, "So be careful of those killing in Jesus' name/ who don't believe in killing at all."
Mellencamp is warning us about ourselves
I have loved this song since I first heard it - such a thought provoking song. Still not completely sure about the meaning and all of the small little nuances... However, I am sure that this song is about discrimination... of all kinds. The video - simple, but poignant - is really what caught my eye. It's a video that I would love for most people to see, just once. I would say that, for me, at least, it really left an impression.
It's kind of ironic how JM refers to how "the simple-minded and the uninformed can be easily led astray", when one way they can be led astray is by taking his political songs seriously.
How are they likely to be led astray by this song? That's a ludicrous comment.<br />