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.
Stand beside it, we can't hide the way it makes us glow
It's no good unless it grows, feel this burning, love of mine
Deep inside the ever-spinning, tell me does it feel?
It's no good unless it's real, hillsides burning
Wild-eyed turning 'til we're running from it
I'd take care of you if you ask me to
In a year or two, oh oh oh
You say swimming in the lake we'll come across a snake
It is real and then it's fake, feel its heartbeat
Feel what you heat, far so fast it feels too late
I'll take care of you if you'd ask me to
In a year or two, oh oh oh
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
It's no good unless it grows, feel this burning, love of mine
Deep inside the ever-spinning, tell me does it feel?
It's no good unless it's real, hillsides burning
Wild-eyed turning 'til we're running from it
I'd take care of you if you ask me to
In a year or two, oh oh oh
You say swimming in the lake we'll come across a snake
It is real and then it's fake, feel its heartbeat
Feel what you heat, far so fast it feels too late
I'll take care of you if you'd ask me to
In a year or two, oh oh oh
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
I'll take care of you, take care of you
That's true
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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 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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
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Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When We Were Young
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Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I think this song is about someone who has decided they love a person, but the other person is scared/running. And they are letting them know that they will wait for them.
I agree. So lovely. I never really thought about the year or two until I saw your post. I love that you wrote this.
@jiggadywig she chose to love him? or pretend?
An incredible end to an incredible album.
I think the second verse, though it could be sexual, is intended to represent a tangible feeling that the person addressed as "you" gives the storyteller. The feeling is there (and perhaps this is where it could manifest itself physically?), but each time they reach this love, it feels oddly distant, "far so fast it feels too late." Perhaps they feel that at this point the love isn't real like it once was. The final message is one of warmth, though it leaves a feeling of melancholy, thinking of someone who can't fully be in passionate love with another, but would take care of them just the same if things came to that.
Either way, this is a gorgeous song, and I love the album. So beautiful.
It's amazing how Beach House takes these huge, sweeping, universal emotions and expresses them in sonic and lyrical form that just penetrates the heart of the listener. They've perfected this strength on this album.
One thing I noticed about the chorus is how the phrase "I'll take care of you/ if you ask me to" just becomes "I'll take care of you, it's true" as the song fades out. She doesn't need to be asked, she'll just take care of the person she loves. The fade out at the end is the spot on way to end the song; "I'll take care of you" is just repeated into infinity, like it's a promise that carries on forever. Lovely.
Such a beautiful, hauntingly sad song. I think this song is about completely loving someone with issues, who is afraid of getting too deep into a relationship. It sounds like it starts with a person whose significant other broke up with her because the relationship was getting serious and it scared him. The author is convicted in her love for the other person, and is pleading with that person to look at their relationship objectively and see that it makes them both feel happy. But the author wants the relationship to progress, and wants the other person to stop running away and for both of them fully surrender to the love they have for each other.
In the chorus, "I'll take care of you, if you ask me to//in a year or two", the author is saying the other person can trust her, but ultimately it's up to the other person whether they want to. And she's not trying to pressure him, it's ok to take their time and enjoy the relationship.
She sees that in the relationship, there are feelings that he fears, and it's hard for him to tell if those fears are legitimate and real, or if they're his mind playing tricks on him. And he thinks he has to end things because they're moving too fast, but she reaffirms that he can trust her, and she loves him and is committed.
I love that she repeats that she'll take care of him, over and over again, at the end without the caveat that they can take their time. Because she'll always be there for him.
It is young love, scared and a part of something bigger than the world. You must wait a few years until your love can be expressed as marriage forever, "I'll take care of you"
what an amazing song. this album is so good.
I'll take care of you If you ask me to In a year or two oh
@dillonk When my addiction is over. It's a sickness.
To me, the ends sounds like "I'll Take Care of You Take Care of you that's true"
So beautiful. Wow. Power , emotion, devotion, and some sadness
Besides the poor capitalization, I agree with portkill about the ending of the song. Although it's probably "I'd take care of you," and not "I'll take care of you." These repeated lines aren't given in the insert though, so who knows.
This is my favorite from the album right now, the vocals at the end are so well done. Love.
The last verse about the snake...feeling its hearbeat and such. Anyone else getting any sexual connotations from that?
no
Well, there is at least some hints of it. Alex Scally had this to say in a Pitchfork interview bout the themes going through the album:<br /> <br /> "I think the other records were more monochromatic in energy too and this one entertained a lot more feelings and a lot more shined through. And there is a lot of sickness, and there's sexuality and depravity, that's all there. So much of that is in there."
I definitely do. Especially since previously in the song:<br /> <br /> "It's no good unless it grows, feel this burning, love of mine<br /> Deep inside the ever-spinning, tell me does it feel"