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.
And Anna was a beauty in her youth
She had long black hair and looked a lot more like you
Than you think you do
I knew her mother well
Her lead light eyes were lovely coal smoke blue as well
But I knew her father too
And I viewed life like a bedroom
Through a keyhole on a door
While he saw it like a pantry through a window on a wall
We never got on well, were never friends at all
And I was just a barnacle that clung on through it all
He was a small time politician
Or a tele-prompter's charge trying to
Bury a misdeed from way back when,
And so he lined all of the
Hacks up on the grass,
Called them gentlemen and friends,
Gave his dog whistle a blast
And every face was a mask,
What is anybody doing who ain't pretending?
What is anybody doing,
Why would he frighten off his friends
With something useless as the truth?
Anna was a beauty in her youth
Did she scare all your friends away?
Did she frighten all your friends away?
Did she scare all of your friends away?
And Anna was a beauty in her youth
She had some fine boys on her trail, like the tailor's son
Who scaled the ranks of
Suits and all he touched turned into loot
I knew his kind very well
And when the doric columns cracked
It tore the shirt right off his back
So they sold him down the river before pocketing the cash
He weren't so lucky then
But it didn't bother Anna,
She had boys on tap
And Jack was a probono defence lawyer
At a firm called Young and Black,
He'd been made a junior partner
And shown how to work a rort
Making charitable donations to
Salvation Army Corps and Veterans Without Wheelchairs
And the Widows Of The Wars
He was a Liberating Angel with a
Clothes Peg on his nose,
But he swooped a little low one time
And crashed into some locals who
Beat seven shades of shame through him
Then levied heavy taxes of their own
And said necessity is nine tenths of surgery
He owed his face's health,
And to watch them very carefully
'Cause this is where the equal
Distribution of wealth is going to
Anna was a beauty in her youth
Did she scare all your friends away?
Did she frighten all your friends away?
Did she scare all of your friends away?
And Anna was a beauty in her youth
It was at the garden party
Where we first were introduced
By her father who'd retired
Into a well of sweet vermouth
But I knew what was coming next
While he'd been winning plaudits for his ornithology
I'd been selling Winnebagos to less heeled retirees
It had not been going well
I moved RV's on hire-purchase
When I knew I should have leased
And my investors all went bankrupt
So I couldn't supply
And I could not meet repayments
Even if demand increased,
I wished they'd pay me what they owed me
Then all fuck off like good pensioners
And die and have a holiday at least
Then he said "money won't bring happiness"
And I very nearly cried
But he didn't venture further, no one saying that ever tries,
I took a hard slug on my drink
And Anna watched me while I melted
Like an ice cube in the desert of her shade
And if she smiled at you there'd be nothing you
Wouldn't do 'cause women made like Anna
Are born coasting on
The admiration, which Anna made the most of,
She turned one against the other, all friends
At one time or other yet they
Set upon themselves
And cleared the way from me to her
You and I were happy then
And happy's no defence
But if it's any consolation
I expected someone else
That would be her masterstroke
And I am standing here today as proff
Anna was a beauty in her youth
Did she scare all your friends away?
Did she frighten all your friends away?
Did she scare all of your friends away?
She had long black hair and looked a lot more like you
Than you think you do
I knew her mother well
Her lead light eyes were lovely coal smoke blue as well
But I knew her father too
And I viewed life like a bedroom
Through a keyhole on a door
While he saw it like a pantry through a window on a wall
We never got on well, were never friends at all
And I was just a barnacle that clung on through it all
He was a small time politician
Or a tele-prompter's charge trying to
Bury a misdeed from way back when,
And so he lined all of the
Hacks up on the grass,
Called them gentlemen and friends,
Gave his dog whistle a blast
And every face was a mask,
What is anybody doing who ain't pretending?
What is anybody doing,
Why would he frighten off his friends
With something useless as the truth?
Anna was a beauty in her youth
Did she scare all your friends away?
Did she frighten all your friends away?
Did she scare all of your friends away?
And Anna was a beauty in her youth
She had some fine boys on her trail, like the tailor's son
Who scaled the ranks of
Suits and all he touched turned into loot
I knew his kind very well
And when the doric columns cracked
It tore the shirt right off his back
So they sold him down the river before pocketing the cash
He weren't so lucky then
But it didn't bother Anna,
She had boys on tap
And Jack was a probono defence lawyer
At a firm called Young and Black,
He'd been made a junior partner
And shown how to work a rort
Making charitable donations to
Salvation Army Corps and Veterans Without Wheelchairs
And the Widows Of The Wars
He was a Liberating Angel with a
Clothes Peg on his nose,
But he swooped a little low one time
And crashed into some locals who
Beat seven shades of shame through him
Then levied heavy taxes of their own
And said necessity is nine tenths of surgery
He owed his face's health,
And to watch them very carefully
'Cause this is where the equal
Distribution of wealth is going to
Anna was a beauty in her youth
Did she scare all your friends away?
Did she frighten all your friends away?
Did she scare all of your friends away?
And Anna was a beauty in her youth
It was at the garden party
Where we first were introduced
By her father who'd retired
Into a well of sweet vermouth
But I knew what was coming next
While he'd been winning plaudits for his ornithology
I'd been selling Winnebagos to less heeled retirees
It had not been going well
I moved RV's on hire-purchase
When I knew I should have leased
And my investors all went bankrupt
So I couldn't supply
And I could not meet repayments
Even if demand increased,
I wished they'd pay me what they owed me
Then all fuck off like good pensioners
And die and have a holiday at least
Then he said "money won't bring happiness"
And I very nearly cried
But he didn't venture further, no one saying that ever tries,
I took a hard slug on my drink
And Anna watched me while I melted
Like an ice cube in the desert of her shade
And if she smiled at you there'd be nothing you
Wouldn't do 'cause women made like Anna
Are born coasting on
The admiration, which Anna made the most of,
She turned one against the other, all friends
At one time or other yet they
Set upon themselves
And cleared the way from me to her
You and I were happy then
And happy's no defence
But if it's any consolation
I expected someone else
That would be her masterstroke
And I am standing here today as proff
Anna was a beauty in her youth
Did she scare all your friends away?
Did she frighten all your friends away?
Did she scare all of your friends away?
Lyrics submitted by david_lpfan
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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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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/
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This song and Strange Tourist are my favourite off the album.
The first few times I listened to the song it seemed to be about a family friend he's known for a long time. He can see her beauty and value to others but he's also seen how vapid she and her Father are. They have a tendency to ruin the relationships around them in their own pursuits. Gareth still finds himself going out of his way to accommodate her but then her Father reminds him of his place. And in those actions he see's how ruthless and callous she can be also.
@ScavengerOfTheSeas my favourite two songs too. And I love this interpretation and the inclusion of an affair. I’m seeing him twice in Melbourne soon. Such an honour. I think he’s the greatest musician of my lifetime.