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 cast a line when I saw you were drowning
Still you turn your back on me
Pulled you from the fire when you were burning
Still you never could believe
So carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
I save you from your fall when you were slipping
Still you broke from me to run
So how can you justify the life you're living
You must carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
You'll deny
You'll deny me once again
But I've seen it all
I know you've come to crawl
Back to me before the end
Carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
So carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
Still remains
Still you turn your back on me
Pulled you from the fire when you were burning
Still you never could believe
So carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
I save you from your fall when you were slipping
Still you broke from me to run
So how can you justify the life you're living
You must carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
You'll deny
You'll deny me once again
But I've seen it all
I know you've come to crawl
Back to me before the end
Carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
So carry on if you must go your way
Go embrace my heart
Your free will still remains
Still remains
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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/
This appears to depict an authority figure talking to a dependent. You might picture it as a deity talking to a rebellious follower or a parent talking to a rebellious child depending on your motivations, but it seems both interpretations are probably valid.
Gotta love how some songs are set up in a way to make the religious and non-religious views appear valid and let the masses argue amongst themselves, all the while raking in the combined profits. :)
"Go embrace my heart" should be "Though it breaks my heart".
Definitely a song about always being there to save someone who can't seem to resist getting themselves into trouble... I've been there with friends, watching some of them head down a path, trying to save them from it, but they seem to push me away and suffer anyway.
Yea same here, and I've always thought those where the lyrics to the song too.
I think this is from the point of view of God. Myles Kennedy has stated that ABIII is a loose concept-album about a character who has come to realize that everything he thought was absolute truth might not be. I think that's a reference to Kennedy's religious upbringing. In this song, I believe he is writing from the point of view of God, and what God has to say about this character's sudden lack of faith.
I'm not religious, by the way. And to be honest, up until I really sat down and thought about it in the context of the album's concept, I always equated this song to being about a relationship with someone who you have the best intentions for, but they turn and walk away from you regardless.