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.
Don't shoot until you see
The red and white
And blue in my eyes
They say were straving fences
And it's not so comfortable
He thinks he grew up to be boring
And so he goes to change his life
I saw you get up on your toes
But don't step back too fast
Or you'll cut yourself in half
[Chorus]
I wanted
All I wanted was to find
There's something here inside of me they couldn't keep
They woke up to hear me screaming
Just shoot until you see
The red on white
And blue in my sky
The proof is in the pictures
And it's not so comforting
He knows that one day they'll ignore him
And push him to the side
He said he kissed the flag before he died
He took one for his country
She said I'd do anything to have him back
[Chorus]
God help us
Can we really win this fight
Because no one knows which side you're on
Anymore, anymore
I'm lost and by myself
When this ends
Will freedom be the casualty
Or will it only
Will it be only me
Will it be only me
Will it be, only me
[Chorus]
God help us
Can we really win this fight
Cause no one knows which side you're on
Anymore, anymore
You're not lost or by yourself
The red and white
And blue in my eyes
They say were straving fences
And it's not so comfortable
He thinks he grew up to be boring
And so he goes to change his life
I saw you get up on your toes
But don't step back too fast
Or you'll cut yourself in half
[Chorus]
I wanted
All I wanted was to find
There's something here inside of me they couldn't keep
They woke up to hear me screaming
Just shoot until you see
The red on white
And blue in my sky
The proof is in the pictures
And it's not so comforting
He knows that one day they'll ignore him
And push him to the side
He said he kissed the flag before he died
He took one for his country
She said I'd do anything to have him back
[Chorus]
God help us
Can we really win this fight
Because no one knows which side you're on
Anymore, anymore
I'm lost and by myself
When this ends
Will freedom be the casualty
Or will it only
Will it be only me
Will it be only me
Will it be, only me
[Chorus]
God help us
Can we really win this fight
Cause no one knows which side you're on
Anymore, anymore
You're not lost or by yourself
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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.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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,
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/
This song reminds me of my best friend over in Iraq fighting for us!
this song was written from a neutral perspective on the war and warfare in general.
it's beautifully written, though a tad on the dull side the lyrics more than make up for it.
particularly poignant are the dialogue consisting of a woman being told that a man she loved was killed in battle:
"He kissed the flag before he died, he took one for his country" "...I'd do anything to have him back..."
pride and nationalism are rendered meaningless when you take into account the personal calamity that modern warfare brings about.
best line is "they say we're straddling fences, and its not so comfortable" therye not comfortable with where theyre at in life... awesome lyrical song
What a great song. it's good to see that people haven't spammed this with "OMGZ LEAVE J0R POLITICAL CRAP TO YOURSELF"
I love these types of songs because they remind us all about what's going on out there and the harsh reality of it all.
Rock on Evans Blue
This song always makes me think of a former soldier suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (is it disorder or syndrome? You know what I'm talking about in either case, right?)
The line, "They woke up to hear me screaming" makes me think of this particularly. I think he's screaming in his sleep from having nightmares.
Also the line, "She says, "I'd do anything to have him back," doesn't necessarily mean the man she loves died in combat, but returned a completely different person than the one who left her to go to war.
The other line is "I'm lost, and by myself," I don't know how much I know about the Vietnam war (way before my time) but I know a lot of the veterans were ignored, not treated well at all, many did not receive the help that they needed. I think that line alludes to the reception returning spilders got after the war.
I hope I'm not talking out of my ass about that, I don't know if my facts are straight, but that's what this song makes me think of. I'm sure it could pertain to the war in Iraw now as well.
Desaparecida, I agree with you entirely. Especially about the line "She says, "I'd do anything to have him back," I didn't really think it was about the soldier dying. All in all, my interpretations were the same as yours.
Does anyone know what is meant by "I saw you get up on your toes but don’t step back too fast, Or you will cut yourself in half." ?
well my first impresssion would literally be that a soldier stepped back too fast and probably triggered a land mine and blew himself up or something of the sort. I suppose the message would be something more like 'don't rush into something so carelessly and try to prove yourself to the world because it could easily destroy your life' <br /> <br /> "He thinks he grew up to be boring and so he goes to change his life <- (trying to prove something right away)<br /> <br /> I saw you get up on your toes but don't step back too fast,<br /> Or you will cut yourself in half"
I disagree with you, Desaparecida. I think that the "He said "He kissed the flag before he died, he took one for his country." She said "I’d do anything to have him back.’" Lines don't mean he didn't die. I mean, it SAYS he did. But I don't think it necessarily means that the man and the woman were in love. They could be siblings, or something.
And I, too, would like to know what the "I saw you get up on your toes but don’t step back too fast, Or you will cut yourself in half." line means.
i think when he says "I saw you get up on your toes but don’t step back too fast, Or you will cut yourself in half." refers to the start of the song talking about straddling the fences, meaning the choices we make can be tough and instead of standing around doing nothing he decides to join the military. "but don’t step back too fast, Or you will cut yourself in half." is someone else saying to him, as a metaphor, don't make decisions too fast or rash you might become a different person or constantly fight yourself for the decision he makes. hence "I wanted, all I wanted was to find the something here inside of me they couldn’t keep." a part of him wants to join and fight for his country instead of "straddling the fences"
Sounds to me like an anti-warfare song from a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder perspective. Beautiful song!