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'm only twenty three for another hour, give or take
I'm a fan of yours and I need a good mistake
I'm not a sinner or preacher, all I have is slight of hand
I do magic tricks for all the boys in the band
Baby, could I be the rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat
I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give in to this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises
No promises, oh no promises
Oh
I've never done this before, promises, promises
But I'm enjoying the illusion and the things my body says
Now you see me, now you don't, oh how well you disappear
What are you running from and may I interfere?
Baby, could I be the rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat
Oh oh baby, could I be the rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat
I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give in to this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises
No promises
No, no no promises
Oh, no no no no promises
I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give in to this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises
No promises
No, no no no promises
No, no no no promises
No no promises
I'm a fan of yours and I need a good mistake
I'm not a sinner or preacher, all I have is slight of hand
I do magic tricks for all the boys in the band
Baby, could I be the rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat
I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give in to this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises
No promises, oh no promises
Oh
I've never done this before, promises, promises
But I'm enjoying the illusion and the things my body says
Now you see me, now you don't, oh how well you disappear
What are you running from and may I interfere?
Baby, could I be the rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat
Oh oh baby, could I be the rabbit in your hat?
I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat
I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give in to this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises
No promises
No, no no promises
Oh, no no no no promises
I'm on the road of least resistance
I'd rather give up than give in to this
So promise me only one thing, would you?
Just don't ever make me promises
No promises
No, no no no promises
No, no no no promises
No no promises
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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.
Just A Little Lovin'
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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/
Punchline
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
" 'Promises, Promises,' is a story about a girl and a guy – go figure – and the girl has built up so much armor around herself with the things that she knows how to do.
"And so, I used these metaphors in the song of, like, magic, like she's an illusionist, so she creates these illusions around her," he continued. "And she's gotten so good at it that she meets somebody who potentially could be someone that could help her break through those illusions and those walls, she can't really recognize that he could be the real thing, or they could be the real thing, so she's asking him for one thing: 'Don't make me any promises.' "
--Brandon Boyd, in an interview at MTV mtv.com/news/articles/1665355/incubus-if-not-now-when.jhtml
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH DEADKID!!! I go on this site so I can find EXACTLY what you put up: the meaning of the song, straight from the writer's mouth. I love this song so much. It reminds me of myself.
in a behind the scenes video for the song, brandon states that this is one of the few songs on the album that has roots. he also goes on to say that "basically this is a story about a girl who is kind of running from her real feelings and her real emotions and so she's masking it with armor and with bad behavior. so she encounters this person who probably is the closest thing to the real thing that she's ever known and she can't allow those walls down that armor down."
you can check out the video here: vevo.com/watch/incubus/promises-promises-behind-the-scenes/USSM21100935
This song is about finding someone who will be a good lay for Brandon but he isn't going to try to hard to get her. (road of least resistance) He doesn't want commitment, (no promises) and in the last verse becomes intrigued with the girl and wonders why she has decided to enter into their "f* buddy" arrangement.
Best Band In The World. This track rocks along with all the others!
agree BIGTIME.. they ARE awesome sauce
From the man directly,
"The song is our homage to the pop songs of yester-morrow. Referencing the deservedly ubiquitous artists of our parents' generation, we are here attempting to craft an artisan's clock. A piece that ticks effortlessly on the strength of its good design, its beauty and its simplicity. Herein a young girl, after so many failed attempts at love, has resigned herself to a "road of least resistance."
Armoring herself against the pain of intimacy by only engaging in surface affairs. Only to meet someone who she CAN trust with her most valued of possessions, her heart. But she can barely recognize what the real thing looks like after so much time running away from it."
I absolutely love this song on such a personal level. I know for me, I've moved the same amount of times as my age, armouring myself and totally kicking my SELF in the ass after a lost opportunity in the past. Perhaps Synchronicity will work its magic somehow, but I don't believe in illusions any longer! I like results!
Best track from their new album love this song. In the company of wolves is another great track .. Incubus 4 life truely admire & the band.Baby could I be the rabbit in your hat? I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat...owhhhhhhh amazing voice.
Can anyone please be so kind and explain the meaning of " I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat " to me and what " be the rabbit in your head " means and refers to ? Thank you :)
The 'rabbit in your hat' refers to the metaphor of magic/illusion (see comment by deadkid). A magician's rabbit is his closest companion as the success/failure of the trick depends on whether it appears or not...someone you can rely on (when you need me most)<br /> <br /> The bat/swinging refers to knocking down the walls/barriers set up to protect her from being hurt (again).
Okay unfortunately I still did not get it - why a bat ? is this kind of a phrase or a mataphor ?? But thanks for the explanation with the rabbit :)
This might seem too simple, but I honestly think he chose bat, because it rhymes with hat. The rabbit in your hat line is pure genius, so he wouldn't re-word it to accommodate the bat line. It shouldn't be read too literally. He's basically saying, "Stop hiding behind the magic, and be true to yourself = Stop acting, because I want to know the real you. I won't let you down and I'll help you take down these walls if you'd just say the word (if you'd hand me the bat)."
Actually, the line "i'd swing if you'd hand me the bat" sounds to me like he just wants her to give him a shot, a chance to prove he'd be there for her. And if she gave him that shot, he'd swing the bat to hit it out of the park as hard as he can.
This may help!!!!! whats-your-sign.com/animal-symbolism-bat.html
"Swing the bat" could be a sports reference. I think of a baseball batter not afraid of the moment and the risk of losing it. He wants to say that he would not hesistate.
"Swing the bat" could be a sports reference. I think of a baseball batter not afraid of the moment and the risk of losing it. He wants to say that he would not hesistate.
"Swing the bat" could be a sports reference. I think of a baseball batter not afraid of the moment and the risk of losing it. He wants to say that he would not hesistate.
Best track from their new album love this song. In the company of wolves is another great track .. Incubus 4 life truely admire & the band.Baby could I be the rabbit in your hat? I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat...owhhhhhhh amazing voice.
Best track from their new album love this song. In the company of wolves is another great track .. Incubus 4 life truely admire & the band.Baby could I be the rabbit in your hat? I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat...owhhhhhhh amazing voice.
Best track from their new album love this song. In the company of wolves is another great track .. Incubus 4 life truely admire & the band.Baby could I be the rabbit in your hat? I'd swing if you'd hand me, hand me the bat...owhhhhhhh amazing voice.