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 coming down
Coming down like a monkey
But it's alright.
Like a load on your back that you can't see
But it's alright.
Try to shake it loose
Cut it free
So let it go
Just get it away from me.
'Cause tonight
Tonight
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
I'm going down
Going down like a monkey
But it's alright.
Try to pick yourself up
Carry that weight that you can't see
Don't you know it's alright?
It's like a helter skelter
Going down and down
Round and round
But just get it away from me.
Because tonight
Tonight
Tonight
We're gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
I got some money in my pocket
About ready to burn
I don't remember where I got it
I gotta get it to you.
So please answer the phone
'cause I keep calling
But you're never home
What am I gonna do?
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
You keep telling me I've got everything
You say I've got everything I want.
You keep telling me you're gonna help me
You're gonna help me
But you don't!
But now I'm in too deep
You see it's got me so that I just can't sleep.
Get me out of here
Please get me out of here.
Just help me
I'll do anything
Anything if you'll just help
Get me out of here!
I'm coming down
Coming down like a monkey
But it's alright. . . .
'Cause tonight
Tonight
Tonight
Maybe we'll make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
Please get me out of here
Just someone get me out of here
Just help me
I'll do anything
Anything if you'll just help
Get me out of here!
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
Coming down like a monkey
But it's alright.
Like a load on your back that you can't see
But it's alright.
Try to shake it loose
Cut it free
So let it go
Just get it away from me.
'Cause tonight
Tonight
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
I'm going down
Going down like a monkey
But it's alright.
Try to pick yourself up
Carry that weight that you can't see
Don't you know it's alright?
It's like a helter skelter
Going down and down
Round and round
But just get it away from me.
Because tonight
Tonight
Tonight
We're gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
I got some money in my pocket
About ready to burn
I don't remember where I got it
I gotta get it to you.
So please answer the phone
'cause I keep calling
But you're never home
What am I gonna do?
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
You keep telling me I've got everything
You say I've got everything I want.
You keep telling me you're gonna help me
You're gonna help me
But you don't!
But now I'm in too deep
You see it's got me so that I just can't sleep.
Get me out of here
Please get me out of here.
Just help me
I'll do anything
Anything if you'll just help
Get me out of here!
I'm coming down
Coming down like a monkey
But it's alright. . . .
'Cause tonight
Tonight
Tonight
Maybe we'll make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
Please get me out of here
Just someone get me out of here
Just help me
I'll do anything
Anything if you'll just help
Get me out of here!
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
I'm gonna make it right tonight
Tonight
Tonight.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Tonight Lyrics as written by Vince Neil Nikki Sixx
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.