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.
It's a mystery inside
Of how I'm gonna get mine
I'm thinkin' 'bout so many ways
Of how to conquer these rainy days
You sang beautifully just now
I sing for him, and he isn't here
"It's goin' down, man, word, man"
"What's up, black?"
"Niggas just fuckin' robbed my gate, man"
"Word?" (It's rainin')
"I'ma fuckin'-, yo, I'ma murder somebody man
For real I ain't playin'"
"Whatever, man, whatever" (he's changin')
(My man is goin' insane, insane)
The war is on
Yo
On rainy days I sit back and count ways on
How to get rich, son, show and prove, ask my bitch
Stood up late nights, build with my a-alikes
We can pull a heist, snatch ice, or rock mics
But this rap shit, got me wanna clack back the latch
How it goes the only pesos made from scratch
But in due time, soon to get mine like Bugsy
Heavy on the wrist, Polo mocs, socks and rugbies
Old flicks remind me of Gucci's
Back in Union Square when little Maxmil, blast Pierre
That was Build Build, fast forward, '94
Who got the bad base?
Filthiest fiends scream for more
Bless me out of state, howdy Jake, Starks is back
Niggas want work, nine brought back off a G-pack
Coke rocks flood the co-ops, live in gossip
Them big lip niggas singin' to cops need to box it
Stop it, the projects overflooded with slow leaks
The fiends geeked, new faces get wrapped in sheets
I gotta get mine, like my old Earth, bless the cheese line
Sippin' on fine wine, the power of the blacks refined
(Rainy days) divine
Waitin' on these royalties takes too long
It's like waitin' on babies, it makes me wanna slay thee
But that's ungodly, so, yo, God, pardon me
I need it real quick, the dough flow like penmanship
Meat heads get pistol-whipped, I blow spots like horse shit
So now talk shit, nigga, what?
It's rainin', he's changin'
My man is goin' insane, insane
It's rainin' (past sunlight, more gunfight)
(Look out, baby girl, word up)
What brings rain, hail, snow, and earthquakes?
The beat breaks, cause all my niggas to break, son
Styles is similar to criminals locked up
With gats, ghetto tabernacles is fucked up
I live once, though the mind stays infinite
Travelin' to touch nine planets, in my midst
While I carry, to earn a decent salary
Soon get married, raise a family, but the plan'll be
Real great, to sit up in the loft, count stacks and max
And real cats gon' watch my back
But listen to the Wu son, and maintain
It's all real, starvin' individuals kill
I puff what's only right, leave the poison alone
Projects, infested with rats, cats, and crack homes
Half of us'll try to make it
The other half'll try to take it
So many fake half real freedom-build
Born to science, my alliance analyzes
Wild surprises, keepin' my eyes wide to this
The unfortunate, layin' in mountains
Countin' with jewelry on
Can it be the next team house to haunt?
Chill, dun, just for real ones, light the lye up
I hate to have to tie the next guy up
Pay attention to 1010 WINS, Wu blends
Now I'm steerin' you to truth, buckle up
Now who's a legend?
It's rainin', he's changin' (word up, dun)
It's rainin' (peace to Philly, VA, these days, word up y'all)
My man is goin' insane (he's-)
My man is goin' insane, insane
(Word up the sun, moon and stars, fly cars, word up y'all)
No sunlight, more gun fights
I've lost him to the street life (I've lost him to the street life)
Street life
No cash flow, no more dough
He's someone I don't even know, someone I don't know
Rainy Days
Gettin' through those rainy days
Gettin' through those rainy days
Gettin' through those rainy days
Gettin' through those rainy days
I lost him to the street life
The street life, oh-whoa-whoa
Of how I'm gonna get mine
I'm thinkin' 'bout so many ways
Of how to conquer these rainy days
You sang beautifully just now
I sing for him, and he isn't here
"It's goin' down, man, word, man"
"What's up, black?"
"Niggas just fuckin' robbed my gate, man"
"Word?" (It's rainin')
"I'ma fuckin'-, yo, I'ma murder somebody man
For real I ain't playin'"
"Whatever, man, whatever" (he's changin')
(My man is goin' insane, insane)
The war is on
Yo
On rainy days I sit back and count ways on
How to get rich, son, show and prove, ask my bitch
Stood up late nights, build with my a-alikes
We can pull a heist, snatch ice, or rock mics
But this rap shit, got me wanna clack back the latch
How it goes the only pesos made from scratch
But in due time, soon to get mine like Bugsy
Heavy on the wrist, Polo mocs, socks and rugbies
Old flicks remind me of Gucci's
Back in Union Square when little Maxmil, blast Pierre
That was Build Build, fast forward, '94
Who got the bad base?
Filthiest fiends scream for more
Bless me out of state, howdy Jake, Starks is back
Niggas want work, nine brought back off a G-pack
Coke rocks flood the co-ops, live in gossip
Them big lip niggas singin' to cops need to box it
Stop it, the projects overflooded with slow leaks
The fiends geeked, new faces get wrapped in sheets
I gotta get mine, like my old Earth, bless the cheese line
Sippin' on fine wine, the power of the blacks refined
(Rainy days) divine
Waitin' on these royalties takes too long
It's like waitin' on babies, it makes me wanna slay thee
But that's ungodly, so, yo, God, pardon me
I need it real quick, the dough flow like penmanship
Meat heads get pistol-whipped, I blow spots like horse shit
So now talk shit, nigga, what?
It's rainin', he's changin'
My man is goin' insane, insane
It's rainin' (past sunlight, more gunfight)
(Look out, baby girl, word up)
What brings rain, hail, snow, and earthquakes?
The beat breaks, cause all my niggas to break, son
Styles is similar to criminals locked up
With gats, ghetto tabernacles is fucked up
I live once, though the mind stays infinite
Travelin' to touch nine planets, in my midst
While I carry, to earn a decent salary
Soon get married, raise a family, but the plan'll be
Real great, to sit up in the loft, count stacks and max
And real cats gon' watch my back
But listen to the Wu son, and maintain
It's all real, starvin' individuals kill
I puff what's only right, leave the poison alone
Projects, infested with rats, cats, and crack homes
Half of us'll try to make it
The other half'll try to take it
So many fake half real freedom-build
Born to science, my alliance analyzes
Wild surprises, keepin' my eyes wide to this
The unfortunate, layin' in mountains
Countin' with jewelry on
Can it be the next team house to haunt?
Chill, dun, just for real ones, light the lye up
I hate to have to tie the next guy up
Pay attention to 1010 WINS, Wu blends
Now I'm steerin' you to truth, buckle up
Now who's a legend?
It's rainin', he's changin' (word up, dun)
It's rainin' (peace to Philly, VA, these days, word up y'all)
My man is goin' insane (he's-)
My man is goin' insane, insane
(Word up the sun, moon and stars, fly cars, word up y'all)
No sunlight, more gun fights
I've lost him to the street life (I've lost him to the street life)
Street life
No cash flow, no more dough
He's someone I don't even know, someone I don't know
Rainy Days
Gettin' through those rainy days
Gettin' through those rainy days
Gettin' through those rainy days
Gettin' through those rainy days
I lost him to the street life
The street life, oh-whoa-whoa
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/