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.
Modern Architecture
Already left to decay
You don't know what you're breathing in
What it is, I couldn't say
We'll meet in Russian Literature
Fourth Floor midday
Travelling Trans-Pennine
She said she'd wait...
More empty buildings for invisible men
No market value to justify the price of the rent
Ignorance isn't bliss,
Familiarity still ends in contempt
We're gonna need some time
But she said she'd wait for me...
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
She won't be saved
We can't be saved
I can't live my life being nervous about tomorrow
I already knew her name
I already knew her name
There's a news blackout 'cause it just got worse
Status depends on the size of your purse
There it is again that lock of hair
That won't sit still
Our earthly pleasures
Distract us against our will...
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
We won't be saved
She can't be saved
I can't live my life feeling nervous about tomorrow
I already knew her name
I already knew
She won't be saved
We can't be saved
I can't live my life feeling nervous about tomorrow
I already knew her name
I already knew
Well, I knew her name
Already left to decay
You don't know what you're breathing in
What it is, I couldn't say
We'll meet in Russian Literature
Fourth Floor midday
Travelling Trans-Pennine
She said she'd wait...
More empty buildings for invisible men
No market value to justify the price of the rent
Ignorance isn't bliss,
Familiarity still ends in contempt
We're gonna need some time
But she said she'd wait for me...
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
She won't be saved
We can't be saved
I can't live my life being nervous about tomorrow
I already knew her name
I already knew her name
There's a news blackout 'cause it just got worse
Status depends on the size of your purse
There it is again that lock of hair
That won't sit still
Our earthly pleasures
Distract us against our will...
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
Are you hopeful or just gullible?
We won't be saved
She can't be saved
I can't live my life feeling nervous about tomorrow
I already knew her name
I already knew
She won't be saved
We can't be saved
I can't live my life feeling nervous about tomorrow
I already knew her name
I already knew
Well, I knew her name
Lyrics submitted by woulduhvtheguts
Russian Literature Lyrics as written by Duncan Robert Lloyd Archis Tiku
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
a few subtle references to crime and punishment? "forth floor" where raskolnikov murders his two victims "nervous about tomorrow" raskolnikov's anxiety and guilt after his murders "size of you purse" raskolnikov steals the old lady's bulging purse - besides, money is a lot of the motivation behind his murder.
perhaps?
perhaps?