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.
Get up today with red on your face
Fight down those that bet on the race
Some paid to keep the pace
While the element of peace is soon erased
I think I want to storm the gates
when I sit back and watch the dollar bill inflate
Instead of less, I've got more to hate,
but I keep on trucking with the motorcade
I ain't nobody's fool
But I don't like playing by the rules
Can you dig it?
We all swim in a pool of emotion
And we're all going to sink down in it
When you drown, don't look down
All you can see is the darkness
You don't make a sound cause there's no one around
To hear the beat of your heart skip
Never pretend to be something you're not
Talk that shit and you'll end up shot
Don't care about the money you've got
Soon this globe's gonna get real hot
Don't know how to make a change
but I'm not the first one to feel this way
I really want to try to sway
The population to a better way
I ain't nobody's clown
With a smile painted on my face I can't frown check it
I hate waiting around for the brand new
So I'm gonna have to invent it
When the volcano erupts don't look up
All you can see is the ashes
So fill up my cup cause I want to be drunk
when they confiscate the federal stashes
When the volcano erupts don't look up
All you can see is the ashes
So fill up my cup cause I want to be drunk
when they confiscate the federal stashes
I ain't nobody's tool
Sometimes I'm used to cut a slice of the pie
We all want to be cool
We're all out to get it what we want we can't decide
I ain't nobody's tool
Sometimes I'm used to cut a slice of the pie
We all want to be cool
We're all out to get it what we want we can't decide
Fight down those that bet on the race
Some paid to keep the pace
While the element of peace is soon erased
I think I want to storm the gates
when I sit back and watch the dollar bill inflate
Instead of less, I've got more to hate,
but I keep on trucking with the motorcade
I ain't nobody's fool
But I don't like playing by the rules
Can you dig it?
We all swim in a pool of emotion
And we're all going to sink down in it
When you drown, don't look down
All you can see is the darkness
You don't make a sound cause there's no one around
To hear the beat of your heart skip
Never pretend to be something you're not
Talk that shit and you'll end up shot
Don't care about the money you've got
Soon this globe's gonna get real hot
Don't know how to make a change
but I'm not the first one to feel this way
I really want to try to sway
The population to a better way
I ain't nobody's clown
With a smile painted on my face I can't frown check it
I hate waiting around for the brand new
So I'm gonna have to invent it
When the volcano erupts don't look up
All you can see is the ashes
So fill up my cup cause I want to be drunk
when they confiscate the federal stashes
When the volcano erupts don't look up
All you can see is the ashes
So fill up my cup cause I want to be drunk
when they confiscate the federal stashes
I ain't nobody's tool
Sometimes I'm used to cut a slice of the pie
We all want to be cool
We're all out to get it what we want we can't decide
I ain't nobody's tool
Sometimes I'm used to cut a slice of the pie
We all want to be cool
We're all out to get it what we want we can't decide
Lyrics submitted by Intensekyle
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
fuck yeah, this song is great.
The line “get up today with red on your face” is metonymy for the paint that warriors wear on their faces, which is often the color red because red symbolizes strength, anger, and rebellion. The line itself has two possible meanings. The first meaning is to remain strong in the face of corruption. This interpretation is strengthened by the line right after which says to “fight down” —as a warrior would– those that make their money in politics by “keeping the pace,” or by protecting the current corrupt practices of politicians that make their living at the expense of others (“bet on the race”). The second interpretation is that the lyricist wants people to remain determinedly strong in the face of adversity. The chorus of the song repeats the line “when the volcano erupts, don’t look up, because all you can see is ashes.” This is a metaphor for optimism; when bad things happen, don’t dwell on the dark side. Therefore, the message implied by the metonymy may also be to mentally fight against misfortunes in order to sustain happiness.
This song tells us to stay alive and survive.....being alive is the reward. Yes we all engage in selfish pursuits and we should Experiance life to the max but do not deny it to others or future generations and definitely don't waste your time in fear/anger. Learn to swim: be submersible (do shit).