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.
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dittle dittle dit dit!
There's a telegram for you, ma'am
And the message is clear
It says there's something bugging you
And buzzing in your ear
The results can be quite itchy
So what is your reply?
Tell your arm to swat that fly!
Hey, there's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
The central nervous system
Is the brain and the spine
The brain controls the system
And the spine is the line
Telegrams come in
To tell what's happening to you
Then telegrams go out
To tell your body what to do
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
There's a telegram for you, sir
Better read it on the spot
It says your hand is near a stove
That's very, very hot
The results can be quite painful
And there's no time to think
Quick, pull that hand away, and get it to the sink!
There's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
Your peripheral nerves
They go all out
Delivering those messages
Your senses send out
From your hearing and touch
To your sight and taste and smell
They let your brain react
To all the messages they tell
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
There's a telegram for you, kid
And it's at an awful time
It says you've got to go on stage
And you forgot your lines
You're going to be embarrassed
Because this telegram's a rush
Your heart starts beating faster and you blush!
Hey, there's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
The autonomic system
Has a hold of you
Controlling automatically
Some things that you do
Your breathing and your heartbeat
Just go on naturally
And when you're scared, your nerves rev up the speed!
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Hey, there's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dit dit!
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dittle dittle dit dit!
There's a telegram for you, ma'am
And the message is clear
It says there's something bugging you
And buzzing in your ear
The results can be quite itchy
So what is your reply?
Tell your arm to swat that fly!
Hey, there's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
The central nervous system
Is the brain and the spine
The brain controls the system
And the spine is the line
Telegrams come in
To tell what's happening to you
Then telegrams go out
To tell your body what to do
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
There's a telegram for you, sir
Better read it on the spot
It says your hand is near a stove
That's very, very hot
The results can be quite painful
And there's no time to think
Quick, pull that hand away, and get it to the sink!
There's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
Your peripheral nerves
They go all out
Delivering those messages
Your senses send out
From your hearing and touch
To your sight and taste and smell
They let your brain react
To all the messages they tell
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
There's a telegram for you, kid
And it's at an awful time
It says you've got to go on stage
And you forgot your lines
You're going to be embarrassed
Because this telegram's a rush
Your heart starts beating faster and you blush!
Hey, there's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
The autonomic system
Has a hold of you
Controlling automatically
Some things that you do
Your breathing and your heartbeat
Just go on naturally
And when you're scared, your nerves rev up the speed!
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Hey, there's a telegraph line
You got yours and I got mine
It's called the nervous system
And everybody understands
Those telegram commands
And you know that everybody better listen!
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dittle dit
Dit dittle dit dit!
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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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 is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/