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.
Try
With a little bit of action
They don't build the world this way
It's alright
She lied
With the face of Cleopatra
The world ain't built this way
It's alright
Now
I'm gonna go outside
Nothings gonna save us
Nothings gonna save us
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
That's alright
Wise
Like three men they never got it
They'll keep death staring me down
I'm alright
Safe
So safe they never asked us
The world ain't built this way
It's alright
Now
I'm gonna go outside
Nothings gonna save us
Nothings gonna save us
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
That's alright
All I say is all I know and all I know is what you made me
My only dope calypso
It's over
In pieces
It's over
I'm alright
With a little bit of action
They don't build the world this way
It's alright
She lied
With the face of Cleopatra
The world ain't built this way
It's alright
Now
I'm gonna go outside
Nothings gonna save us
Nothings gonna save us
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
That's alright
Wise
Like three men they never got it
They'll keep death staring me down
I'm alright
Safe
So safe they never asked us
The world ain't built this way
It's alright
Now
I'm gonna go outside
Nothings gonna save us
Nothings gonna save us
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
My only dope calypso
That's alright
All I say is all I know and all I know is what you made me
My only dope calypso
It's over
In pieces
It's over
I'm alright
Lyrics submitted by Azazel23
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/
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.
Officially from the band:
‘Dope Calypso’ was one of those songs that came together from pieces of musical scrap. I was working on multiple guitar parts and lyrics as different songs and one morning out of frustration I mixed it into a melting pot and it magically glued together. I basically culminated the lyrics from taking scrap notes while walking to work in the morning. I remember Dean Turner (good friend and manager at the time) made a joke that skyscrapers are the “cathedrals of capitalism …trophy relics that represent man’s power over the world”. I love riffs that sound like they can destroy buildings, and I felt like this was one of them. The lyrics are a random mishmash of notes and reflections about identity and deserting normality. I have never written a song that naturally felt like a solid opener until this one – as soon as I wrote the riff I knew we could add 30 seconds of layered atmospheric sounds and bring the whole band in on a single snare hit – a lot of fun to play live!