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 was walkin' in New York City on a summer afternoon
Thought I’d drop by and check in on one of them, uh, Wall Street Tycoons
Well those guys must really know somethin’ about securities
Cause JP Morgan Chased me right off his property
Said “Son, if you ain’t got no money, you ain’t no good to me.”
I gathered myself up and got back on my feet
I scanned my surroundings for something I could eat
That’s when I heard the vendor calling out to me…
“American Sausage, it’s my favorite meat!
American Sausage, it can’t be beat!
American Sausage, why you taste so sweet?
I wanna eat you five times a day!”
Well I said, “I’ll give it a try. Hey man, that’s pretty good.
Won’t you tell me what’s in that there sausage, if you would?”
Well he said, “I don’t know what’s in that recipe.
Them fat cats have it shipped in from overseas.
You’ll have to head down to Latin America, go south of Belize.”
I searched for weeks on end but nothing I could find
In Panama I thought that I would lose my mind
I knew it had to be close because of the smell
The more I asked the people there the less they'd tell
‘Till a young, scared-looking man pulled me aside
He said, “My people, we have nothing to hide.
“But I know this guy, around the way
My sisters says he works for the CIA
She says she saw him kill a man, but he didn’t have to pay
‘Cause he works for the USA!
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam
What will it take for you to understand?
I just want to be left alone with my family and my land
I don’t wanna be a part of your plans
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam
Why don’t you understand?
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, what will it take for you to understand?
I just want to be left alone with my family and my land
I wanna relax by the ocean in the hot summer sand
Don’t wanna be part of your plans but I can’t run from your pointing hand
Sayin’ ‘I want you, I want you,’ well I want nothin’ to do with you
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, why don’t you understand?
It’s that American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat.
American Sausage, there's blood in the streets
American Sausage, why you taste like defeat?
I wish you’d up and go away
American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat.
American Sausage, for the assholes on Wall Street
Oh, American Sausage, why you taste like defeat?
I wish you’d up and go away
I was walkin’ in Panama on a sunny afternoon
Thought I’d drop by and check in on this here, ah, CIA buffoon
Well those guys, also seem to know somethin’ about security
He knew I was comin’ before I set foot on his property
Said, “Son, I know you’re here to ask me about that recipe.
“Ten years ago I would have killed you just for asking
But I’m retired now my instincts are relaxing
I do possess the information you wish to know
I’ll share it with you now for many others know
There are two main components to the recipe:
BLOOD AND OIL!
BLOOD AND OIL!
Blood and oil and-
Blood and oil and fat and a little meat!
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam
it took too long for me to understand!
I just should have stayed at home with my family and my land
I should have relaxed by the ocean in the hot summer sand
But I got wrapped up in your plans
And now the blood won’t wash from my hands
Singin’ ‘Out damn spot, out damn spot!’
Oh, and the guilt sits so deep in my gut
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, I didn't understand
It’s that American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat!
American Sausage, there’s blood in the streets!
American Sausage, it’s stainin’ our feet
And we’ll never wash it off again!
American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat!
American Sausage, there’s blood in the streets!
American Sausage, it’s stainin’ our feet
And we’ll never wash it off again!
Thought I’d drop by and check in on one of them, uh, Wall Street Tycoons
Well those guys must really know somethin’ about securities
Cause JP Morgan Chased me right off his property
Said “Son, if you ain’t got no money, you ain’t no good to me.”
I gathered myself up and got back on my feet
I scanned my surroundings for something I could eat
That’s when I heard the vendor calling out to me…
“American Sausage, it’s my favorite meat!
American Sausage, it can’t be beat!
American Sausage, why you taste so sweet?
I wanna eat you five times a day!”
Well I said, “I’ll give it a try. Hey man, that’s pretty good.
Won’t you tell me what’s in that there sausage, if you would?”
Well he said, “I don’t know what’s in that recipe.
Them fat cats have it shipped in from overseas.
You’ll have to head down to Latin America, go south of Belize.”
I searched for weeks on end but nothing I could find
In Panama I thought that I would lose my mind
I knew it had to be close because of the smell
The more I asked the people there the less they'd tell
‘Till a young, scared-looking man pulled me aside
He said, “My people, we have nothing to hide.
“But I know this guy, around the way
My sisters says he works for the CIA
She says she saw him kill a man, but he didn’t have to pay
‘Cause he works for the USA!
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam
What will it take for you to understand?
I just want to be left alone with my family and my land
I don’t wanna be a part of your plans
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam
Why don’t you understand?
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, what will it take for you to understand?
I just want to be left alone with my family and my land
I wanna relax by the ocean in the hot summer sand
Don’t wanna be part of your plans but I can’t run from your pointing hand
Sayin’ ‘I want you, I want you,’ well I want nothin’ to do with you
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, why don’t you understand?
It’s that American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat.
American Sausage, there's blood in the streets
American Sausage, why you taste like defeat?
I wish you’d up and go away
American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat.
American Sausage, for the assholes on Wall Street
Oh, American Sausage, why you taste like defeat?
I wish you’d up and go away
I was walkin’ in Panama on a sunny afternoon
Thought I’d drop by and check in on this here, ah, CIA buffoon
Well those guys, also seem to know somethin’ about security
He knew I was comin’ before I set foot on his property
Said, “Son, I know you’re here to ask me about that recipe.
“Ten years ago I would have killed you just for asking
But I’m retired now my instincts are relaxing
I do possess the information you wish to know
I’ll share it with you now for many others know
There are two main components to the recipe:
BLOOD AND OIL!
BLOOD AND OIL!
Blood and oil and-
Blood and oil and fat and a little meat!
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam
it took too long for me to understand!
I just should have stayed at home with my family and my land
I should have relaxed by the ocean in the hot summer sand
But I got wrapped up in your plans
And now the blood won’t wash from my hands
Singin’ ‘Out damn spot, out damn spot!’
Oh, and the guilt sits so deep in my gut
Oh Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam, I didn't understand
It’s that American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat!
American Sausage, there’s blood in the streets!
American Sausage, it’s stainin’ our feet
And we’ll never wash it off again!
American Sausage, it’s the worst kind of meat!
American Sausage, there’s blood in the streets!
American Sausage, it’s stainin’ our feet
And we’ll never wash it off again!
Lyrics submitted by vigorousj
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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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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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"'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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“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.