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.
When I was a little girl the world was small to me
All the light in my life filtered softly through the trees
The shadows in the photographs
Five ghosts who followed me
I was only truly frightened once
They called my name and said they wanted me
Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die
Oh, for one sweet second without the eye
When I grew in age and fame and traveled through the world
All the rives of the city like flags of blue unfurled
Me pressed against the railing
Me taken to a room
Me breaking in the morning
Dark with a sense of coming doom
Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die
Oh, for one sweet second without the eye
Now I have grown old and all my grace and beauty gone
Five ghosts surround my garden, I don't tell them to move on
I walk deeper into shade now
That dappled light again
I see you standing at the gate
My one and only friend
Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die
Oh, for one sweet second without the eye
All the light in my life filtered softly through the trees
The shadows in the photographs
Five ghosts who followed me
I was only truly frightened once
They called my name and said they wanted me
Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die
Oh, for one sweet second without the eye
When I grew in age and fame and traveled through the world
All the rives of the city like flags of blue unfurled
Me pressed against the railing
Me taken to a room
Me breaking in the morning
Dark with a sense of coming doom
Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die
Oh, for one sweet second without the eye
Now I have grown old and all my grace and beauty gone
Five ghosts surround my garden, I don't tell them to move on
I walk deeper into shade now
That dappled light again
I see you standing at the gate
My one and only friend
Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die
Oh, for one sweet second without the eye
Lyrics submitted by katalius123
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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.
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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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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/
Blue
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
When I listen to this song, I hear a story about a small-town girl who grew up in the provinces. Since childhood, she either had premonitions of her destiny or literally saw five ghosts, and these visions have hounded her all her life. "Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die / Oh, for one sweet second without the eye" to me refers to her lifelong quest to thwart her own destiny and make a name for herself. It could also refer to a desire to not see these visions and to live normally.
In the second verse, I imagine that she's succeeded to some extent and is now a celebrity of some sort. All the opportunity open to her ("All the rivers of the city like flags of blue unfurled") must give her quite a thrill. Perhaps she lives a bit recklessly just to prove that the visions are wrong, and she can "try to die" on her own terms.
However, she is in an abusive relationship, making her living as a high-class escort, or the subject of one night's brutal attack. The vulnerability she feels the morning after brings back her childhood memories of the five ghosts, and perhaps she wonders if she will truly succeed in escaping her destiny.
For the last verse, I imagine that she has retired to her home province and, with her money, built a large estate on her childhood stomping grounds. From her balcony one late afternoon, she looks out and sees the visions again. By this time, however, she has accepted her destiny ("I don't tell them to move on"). As the sun sets, she goes for a walk under the trees she must have played in during her youth. Her "one and only friend" could literally be someone who has stood by her all these years or a personification of the destiny she's tried so hard to avoid--maybe even death itself, the death that has waited patiently for her all her life.
When I listen to this song, I hear a story about a small-town girl who grew up in the provinces. Since childhood, she either had premonitions of her destiny or literally saw five ghosts, and these visions have hounded her all her life. "Oh, what a beautiful day to try to die / Oh, for one sweet second without the eye" to me refers to her lifelong quest to thwart her own destiny and make a name for herself. It could also refer to a desire to not see these visions and to live normally.
In the second verse, I imagine that she's succeeded to some extent and is now a celebrity of some sort. All the opportunity open to her ("All the rivers of the city like flags of blue unfurled") must give her quite a thrill. Perhaps she lives a bit recklessly just to prove that the visions are wrong, and she can "try to die" on her own terms.
However, she is in an abusive relationship, making her living as a high-class escort, or the subject of one night's brutal attack. The vulnerability she feels the morning after brings back her childhood memories of the five ghosts, and perhaps she wonders if she will truly succeed in escaping her destiny.
For the last verse, I imagine that she has retired to her home province and, with her money, built a large estate on her childhood stomping grounds. From her balcony one late afternoon, she looks out and sees the visions again. By this time, however, she has accepted her destiny ("I don't tell them to move on"). As the sun sets, she goes for a walk under the trees she must have played in during her youth. Her "one and only friend" could literally be someone who has stood by her all these years or a personification of the destiny she's tried so hard to avoid--maybe even death itself, the death that has waited patiently for her all her life.