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.
She says her life is gone
The stage was growing dark
Not knowing right from wrong
She tore her world apart
She fell into a bottle
She slipped into some pills
Her eyes were burning hotter
Her skin broke out in chills
And the magazines were torn
On the pages she used to grace
But now she's been reborn
And the pages become erased
Is this what you really wanted?
Or were you just asking for help?
When you laughed and smiled years ago,
Is this really how you saw yourself?
Now you're just another Hollywood contradiction
You said "Hey, I don't have a problem"
Lights, camera, addiction
They said, "Look how far you've come,
Just look at that girl on the screen.
You aren't just another pretty one,
This is the real thing."
You smiled without a reply
But your eyes said it all
"Someday I will reach the sky
But tell me how far is the fall?"
Is this what you really wanted?
Or were you just asking for help?
When you laughed and smiled years ago,
Is this really how you saw yourself?
Now you're just another Hollywood contradiction
You said "Hey, I don't have a problem"
Lights, camera, addiction
Now it's your last chance
Girl, convince them you'll pull through
Don't mess this one up
The whole crowd is wathcing you
From critics to clinics
And cold-hearted cynics
The whole crowd
The whole crowd is watching you
Lights... Camera... Addiction
The stage was growing dark
Not knowing right from wrong
She tore her world apart
She fell into a bottle
She slipped into some pills
Her eyes were burning hotter
Her skin broke out in chills
And the magazines were torn
On the pages she used to grace
But now she's been reborn
And the pages become erased
Is this what you really wanted?
Or were you just asking for help?
When you laughed and smiled years ago,
Is this really how you saw yourself?
Now you're just another Hollywood contradiction
You said "Hey, I don't have a problem"
Lights, camera, addiction
They said, "Look how far you've come,
Just look at that girl on the screen.
You aren't just another pretty one,
This is the real thing."
You smiled without a reply
But your eyes said it all
"Someday I will reach the sky
But tell me how far is the fall?"
Is this what you really wanted?
Or were you just asking for help?
When you laughed and smiled years ago,
Is this really how you saw yourself?
Now you're just another Hollywood contradiction
You said "Hey, I don't have a problem"
Lights, camera, addiction
Now it's your last chance
Girl, convince them you'll pull through
Don't mess this one up
The whole crowd is wathcing you
From critics to clinics
And cold-hearted cynics
The whole crowd
The whole crowd is watching you
Lights... Camera... Addiction
Lyrics submitted by NothingFinal
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
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.
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/
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“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.