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's off to anywhere
every town grows stale soon enough
so it's fields to east and the hills to the west
under crescent moons
and grassy bends
she lays her head to rest
she's been in a hundred movies
and in six billion dreams
taking out wood and wide
singing romance round the fire
giving tastes of truth to those of us employed as liars
and we sing ain't that the life
she's got it made
her head in the sand her guitar in the shade
rambling beauty she sang to me
was she in my mind
or on the tv
yes she's on my mind
come from the tv
noble hobo corporate cutthroat got the wisdom of the tramp
brother can't spare no crumbs
don't you trip over the bums
as you step out of a cab
on the way to see a gypsy band
railroad boxcar blasts and burns on down the line
and her feet are a swingin'
and the song she's a singin'
tell of greener fields and freer times
and we sing ain't that the life
she's got it made
her head in the sand her guitar in the shade
rambling beauty she sang to me
was she in my mind
or on the tv
yes she's on my mind
come from the tv
rambling beauty
let me be your mate for awhile
be a shoulder for your head
carry a bag and roll up bed
another day in this place
and i swear i'll end up dead
and how I'm sorry
that my ancestors threw you in jail
but now I can see your ramblings were poetry
will you sell me the rights if I put up the bail?
and we'll sing ain't that the life
we've got it made
our heads in the sand our guitars in the shade
rambling beauty sing sweet to me
yeah you're on my mind
just like on tv
yeah you're on my mind
come from the tv
every town grows stale soon enough
so it's fields to east and the hills to the west
under crescent moons
and grassy bends
she lays her head to rest
she's been in a hundred movies
and in six billion dreams
taking out wood and wide
singing romance round the fire
giving tastes of truth to those of us employed as liars
and we sing ain't that the life
she's got it made
her head in the sand her guitar in the shade
rambling beauty she sang to me
was she in my mind
or on the tv
yes she's on my mind
come from the tv
noble hobo corporate cutthroat got the wisdom of the tramp
brother can't spare no crumbs
don't you trip over the bums
as you step out of a cab
on the way to see a gypsy band
railroad boxcar blasts and burns on down the line
and her feet are a swingin'
and the song she's a singin'
tell of greener fields and freer times
and we sing ain't that the life
she's got it made
her head in the sand her guitar in the shade
rambling beauty she sang to me
was she in my mind
or on the tv
yes she's on my mind
come from the tv
rambling beauty
let me be your mate for awhile
be a shoulder for your head
carry a bag and roll up bed
another day in this place
and i swear i'll end up dead
and how I'm sorry
that my ancestors threw you in jail
but now I can see your ramblings were poetry
will you sell me the rights if I put up the bail?
and we'll sing ain't that the life
we've got it made
our heads in the sand our guitars in the shade
rambling beauty sing sweet to me
yeah you're on my mind
just like on tv
yeah you're on my mind
come from the tv
Lyrics submitted by greenzob
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
"she" the "rambling beauty" is either a backpacking current day nomad or a boxcart jumper, still in modern day. Either way she is homeless. "She" refers to the glamored life of homeless young people we show in media and music, the idealisms of unemployment being fashion. Yet, when it finally comes down to it, the youth of today attempt to dress and seem homeless when they "can't spare no crumbs" to the general homeless population due to it being nothing like how they thought of it glamorized. But, those who fit the picture of the "fashionable" lifestyle of free nomads living on their own, are worshiped by the people the singer relates to satirically and are asked for forgiveness for being so mistreated because now they fit what's popular to media.