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.
There's a purple heart on the stars and stripes tonight
It's pinned to the chest of the latest liar
And if you try to speak your mind
They tell you keep it to yourself
You got friends in the armed forces
They wanna know which side you're on
But it doesn't matter cause we're all being used
To train, to fight
To disregard all human rights
To play the part of
The consciense of the damned
You say you're defending me
I'm sick of tying yellow ribbons
Praying not to see
Another folded flag to a mourning mother
He was an army of one but they'll find another
And in the fold of the body bag
She'll find a check for a hundred grand
She's got friends in the armed forces
Now we know what a soldier costs
But what's the cost for the rest of us
To take a life
We all have our price
The wife and kids sleep soundly in their beds
You say you're defending me
Well I'm out tying yellow ribbons
On every single tree I see
I've seen them float like butterflies back home
And I can feel the desert's heat
When you're standing next to me
Our friendship offers no relief
Stay with me now, just hear me out
Don't want to lose you to that great black cloud
Coming down
You've seen the path a bullet makes
When it calls you by your name
And the medic can't play the rythym of your heart
So it starts to fade like footsteps in the march
As the parade passes by
The ticker tape will rise like sparks when we're born
To change our minds
Everything that's wrong looks right
The lives we lead
Are somewhere in between
March
You say you're defending me
I'm sick of tying yellow ribbons
Praying not to see
Now sing it
We're not going to hell
To run rings around a wishing well
It's pinned to the chest of the latest liar
And if you try to speak your mind
They tell you keep it to yourself
You got friends in the armed forces
They wanna know which side you're on
But it doesn't matter cause we're all being used
To train, to fight
To disregard all human rights
To play the part of
The consciense of the damned
You say you're defending me
I'm sick of tying yellow ribbons
Praying not to see
Another folded flag to a mourning mother
He was an army of one but they'll find another
And in the fold of the body bag
She'll find a check for a hundred grand
She's got friends in the armed forces
Now we know what a soldier costs
But what's the cost for the rest of us
To take a life
We all have our price
The wife and kids sleep soundly in their beds
You say you're defending me
Well I'm out tying yellow ribbons
On every single tree I see
I've seen them float like butterflies back home
And I can feel the desert's heat
When you're standing next to me
Our friendship offers no relief
Stay with me now, just hear me out
Don't want to lose you to that great black cloud
Coming down
You've seen the path a bullet makes
When it calls you by your name
And the medic can't play the rythym of your heart
So it starts to fade like footsteps in the march
As the parade passes by
The ticker tape will rise like sparks when we're born
To change our minds
Everything that's wrong looks right
The lives we lead
Are somewhere in between
March
You say you're defending me
I'm sick of tying yellow ribbons
Praying not to see
Now sing it
We're not going to hell
To run rings around a wishing well
Lyrics submitted by eltroyo11
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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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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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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/
I think the basic meaning of this track is to bring the troops home...Don't want to pray and wait anymore - just come back now...Im sure there is more to it though...