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.
Feel the warmth of the flame as it burns inside
Burning high and higher, pressure starts to climb
Turning passion into sweat, Jekyll into Hyde
Glossy eyed, unsatisfied, I can't help but deny
As my love gets set aside
As my love gets set aside
Magnified by hate inside
Face down upon the ground
Looking down at her, you start to frown
Thinking to yourself, "Am I insane to do the things I do to her in vain?"
Woman beater with your hands wrapped around her neck
Deranged, demented, a psycho-social wreck
Your self-denial, hatred, got to keep it in check
You rape for love and you kill for respect
I find myself all alone
The pain will wash away
Unless she is taught, she has been shown
It's got to be my way
And now she is gone
The blood is on my hands
No remorse, what have I done?
And act of God or man?
Face down upon the ground
Looking down at her, you start to frown
Thinking to yourself, "Am I insane to do the things I do to her in vain?"
Burning high and higher, pressure starts to climb
Turning passion into sweat, Jekyll into Hyde
Glossy eyed, unsatisfied, I can't help but deny
As my love gets set aside
As my love gets set aside
Magnified by hate inside
Face down upon the ground
Looking down at her, you start to frown
Thinking to yourself, "Am I insane to do the things I do to her in vain?"
Woman beater with your hands wrapped around her neck
Deranged, demented, a psycho-social wreck
Your self-denial, hatred, got to keep it in check
You rape for love and you kill for respect
I find myself all alone
The pain will wash away
Unless she is taught, she has been shown
It's got to be my way
And now she is gone
The blood is on my hands
No remorse, what have I done?
And act of God or man?
Face down upon the ground
Looking down at her, you start to frown
Thinking to yourself, "Am I insane to do the things I do to her in vain?"
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
In Vain Lyrics as written by Evan Seinfeld Daniel Schuler
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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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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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
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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.