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.
Maybe I'm just kidding myself when I say, "I love you"
I don't know
Loving without trusting
You get frostbite and sunstroke
I wish I felt nothing
You pimp
Laughing and strutting her
To my chartered seat
Your old off night backstreet
It's been stinger to stinger, darlin'
It's been heart to heart
You still keep me from finishing
Any new love I start
Now she's moved in with you
She's keeping your house neat
And your sheets sweet
And I'm your off night backstreet
I can feel your fingers
Feeling my face
There are some lines you put there
And some you erase
Maybe I'm just dramatizing
I don't care
It's home it can be heaven
When we play fair
But these sentimental journeys
Late at night
High in some back room
You're calling me
To be your off night back street
You give me such pleasure
You bring me such pain
Who left her long black hair
In our bathtub drain?
I don't know
Loving without trusting
You get frostbite and sunstroke
I wish I felt nothing
You pimp
Laughing and strutting her
To my chartered seat
Your old off night backstreet
It's been stinger to stinger, darlin'
It's been heart to heart
You still keep me from finishing
Any new love I start
Now she's moved in with you
She's keeping your house neat
And your sheets sweet
And I'm your off night backstreet
I can feel your fingers
Feeling my face
There are some lines you put there
And some you erase
Maybe I'm just dramatizing
I don't care
It's home it can be heaven
When we play fair
But these sentimental journeys
Late at night
High in some back room
You're calling me
To be your off night back street
You give me such pleasure
You bring me such pain
Who left her long black hair
In our bathtub drain?
Lyrics submitted by threearmedman
Off Night Backstreet Lyrics as written by Joni Mitchell
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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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/
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One of my favorite songs on "Reckless," but it suffers from the same problem as most of these other songs: it doesn't really end; just kind of runs out of steam.
Basically, it's about being "the other woman".