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.
I flew out to see the valley get filled in
A plain of pavement where a gaping mouth had been
Who am I to label anything a sin?
I just watched and I am watching it again
Light up when you turn into a pine tree
Settle, there is nothing but to be free
Too late to be worried for your safety
So long to the soldier you could not be
There is no ghostly honor
To keep me facing straight
There is no balance for my dead weight
I saw a merchant lying flattened in a ditch
Crying curses in an ever-falling pitch
Now I'm the conscience of the man pulling the switch
Though I see both sides, I cannot tell which is which
Go down to where Helios is weeping
Your knife took his love while she was sleeping
Too late to be asking for forgiveness
Your shame is a never-ending sickness
I pulled the poison flowers from my grandfather's grave
And ground them into paint for my face
I felt Atlantic justice pulling my muscles down
To carve me into something unsound
Alexander...
A plain of pavement where a gaping mouth had been
Who am I to label anything a sin?
I just watched and I am watching it again
Light up when you turn into a pine tree
Settle, there is nothing but to be free
Too late to be worried for your safety
So long to the soldier you could not be
There is no ghostly honor
To keep me facing straight
There is no balance for my dead weight
I saw a merchant lying flattened in a ditch
Crying curses in an ever-falling pitch
Now I'm the conscience of the man pulling the switch
Though I see both sides, I cannot tell which is which
Go down to where Helios is weeping
Your knife took his love while she was sleeping
Too late to be asking for forgiveness
Your shame is a never-ending sickness
I pulled the poison flowers from my grandfather's grave
And ground them into paint for my face
I felt Atlantic justice pulling my muscles down
To carve me into something unsound
Alexander...
Lyrics submitted by byuckert
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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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"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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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 pulled the poison flowers, from my Grandfather's grave, And ground them into paint for my face.
Per the "Grandfather" page on SimpleStereo.com:
I flew out to see the valley get filled in A plain of pavement where a gaping mouth had been Who am I to label anything a sin? I just watched and I am watching it again
Light up when you turn into a pine tree Settle, there is nothing but to be free Too late to be worried for your safety So long to the soldier you could not be
There is no ghostly honor To keep me facing straight There is no balance for my dead weight
I saw a merchant lying flattened in a ditch Crying curses in an ever-falling pitch Now I'm the conscience of the man pulling the switch Though I see both sides, I cannot tell which is which
Go down to where Helios is weeping Your knife took his love while she was sleeping Too late to be asking for forgiveness Your shame is a never-ending sickness
I pulled the poison flowers from my grandfather's grave And ground them into paint for my face I felt Atlantic justice pulling my muscles down To carve me into something unsound
Alexander...