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.
Six o’clock Friday sees Jacobina walking
Down the dirtier streets
Week-old heels click, dodging sidewalk mess
Impressed in her stride, a twenty-nine year old creed
(Mama first put it there):
Stay away from strangers, sternly said
But things can change
Six o’clock Friday sees Julian wandering up familiar streets
Wrinkled walls don’t hide the sky inside
But a house in the slums can be just as defined, aloof and held aloft
As a hilly mansion (rooms filled up with pride)
But things can change
We all know south and south are bound to collide
It’s no different here on the dank street side
Conversation’s rusty and reeks dimestore
But then they never gave much before
And things can change
So while her rich-girl airs were insufferable
His prejudice was impermeable
Roads and cars dictated maybe views
What can he give me that I don’t have?
What can she show me that I don’t know?
And what would Mama or downstairs say if they knew?
Someone ought to teach that girl not to abide by the minimums
Someone ought to teach that boy
Possibly, if we pull back superfluous impressions
Minimum expectation may give way
Someone ought to teach that girl not to abide by the minimums
Someone ought to teach that boy not to abide
Not to abide
Not to abide by the minimums
One day, maybe Jac and Ju will say:
Come on in, we’ll show you around
The house we built, the house we found
Down the dirtier streets
Week-old heels click, dodging sidewalk mess
Impressed in her stride, a twenty-nine year old creed
(Mama first put it there):
Stay away from strangers, sternly said
But things can change
Six o’clock Friday sees Julian wandering up familiar streets
Wrinkled walls don’t hide the sky inside
But a house in the slums can be just as defined, aloof and held aloft
As a hilly mansion (rooms filled up with pride)
But things can change
We all know south and south are bound to collide
It’s no different here on the dank street side
Conversation’s rusty and reeks dimestore
But then they never gave much before
And things can change
So while her rich-girl airs were insufferable
His prejudice was impermeable
Roads and cars dictated maybe views
What can he give me that I don’t have?
What can she show me that I don’t know?
And what would Mama or downstairs say if they knew?
Someone ought to teach that girl not to abide by the minimums
Someone ought to teach that boy
Possibly, if we pull back superfluous impressions
Minimum expectation may give way
Someone ought to teach that girl not to abide by the minimums
Someone ought to teach that boy not to abide
Not to abide
Not to abide by the minimums
One day, maybe Jac and Ju will say:
Come on in, we’ll show you around
The house we built, the house we found
Lyrics submitted by Bear.
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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.
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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,
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.