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.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(x4)
Wake up baby it's not the end of this
You keep playing the card that ignorance is bliss
Wanna take the time and see what love's about
I know you think you do but you don't know how
And if we wanna go our ways
We'll be making the mistakes we made
We can fake it now
We can make it now
Love will show us how
Cheer up baby you gotta dry your tears
The time is finally here for us to face our fears
The insecurities about my history
I'll give you what you need if you wanna see
And if we wanna go our ways
We'll be making the mistakes we made
We can fake it now
We can make it now
Love will show us how
We can make it out
(x4)
And if we go our ways
We'll be making the mistakes we made
We can fake it now
We can make it now
Love will show us how
(x2)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(x4)
(x4)
Wake up baby it's not the end of this
You keep playing the card that ignorance is bliss
Wanna take the time and see what love's about
I know you think you do but you don't know how
And if we wanna go our ways
We'll be making the mistakes we made
We can fake it now
We can make it now
Love will show us how
Cheer up baby you gotta dry your tears
The time is finally here for us to face our fears
The insecurities about my history
I'll give you what you need if you wanna see
And if we wanna go our ways
We'll be making the mistakes we made
We can fake it now
We can make it now
Love will show us how
We can make it out
(x4)
And if we go our ways
We'll be making the mistakes we made
We can fake it now
We can make it now
Love will show us how
(x2)
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
(x4)
Lyrics submitted by iliketoeatapples
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"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.
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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,
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Blink-182
Blink-182
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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/