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.
There were days from last week
I couldn't quite complete.
Skipped ahead to the next afternoon.
Sweat through the sheets.
Slept in my shoes.
Hung around with the House of Balloons.
Keep the speed steady.
Hold the wheel straight.
We scratch and we scrape.
We're scared then we're brave.
The kids on the corner making eyes at the cars.
If you want to saved all it takes is a wave.
There were kids at the car wash
That said they could get it.
Gave them half but they never came back.
Drove by so slowly
It felt like we're floating
An inflatable raft.
Our bodies are stoplights.
Our minds are the streets.
We scratch and we scrape.
We're scared then we're brave.
The kids on the corner making eyes at the cars.
If you want to saved all it takes is a wave.
Sarah I still think that you are so beautiful.
I'm sorry that you don't feel the same way as me.
We spent so much time in this town driving slowly.
We spent so much money on things that didn't stay.
So call for a taxi. Slide into the backseat.
It rolls like a glass bottomed boat.
The kids on the corner when they reach in the window
Their arms look like limbs from an oak.
Keep the speed steady. Hold the wheel straight.
I swear I feel each little sway.
Our minds are the windows.
Our bodies are screens.
We scratch
We scrape.
And we dream.
We dream of the limbs of the trees.
We dream of the views from the boats.
Of mountains all covered in oaks.
And we hope.
As we hang from the limbs of the trees.
We cling to the rails of the boats.
The mountains all covered in oaks.
And we dream.
We dream of the limbs of the trees.
We dream of the views from the boats.
Of mountains all covered in oaks.
And we hope.
As we hang from the limbs of the trees.
We cling to the rails on the boats.
The trees as they turn into smoke.
The trees they turn slowly to smoke.
I couldn't quite complete.
Skipped ahead to the next afternoon.
Sweat through the sheets.
Slept in my shoes.
Hung around with the House of Balloons.
Keep the speed steady.
Hold the wheel straight.
We scratch and we scrape.
We're scared then we're brave.
The kids on the corner making eyes at the cars.
If you want to saved all it takes is a wave.
There were kids at the car wash
That said they could get it.
Gave them half but they never came back.
Drove by so slowly
It felt like we're floating
An inflatable raft.
Our bodies are stoplights.
Our minds are the streets.
We scratch and we scrape.
We're scared then we're brave.
The kids on the corner making eyes at the cars.
If you want to saved all it takes is a wave.
Sarah I still think that you are so beautiful.
I'm sorry that you don't feel the same way as me.
We spent so much time in this town driving slowly.
We spent so much money on things that didn't stay.
So call for a taxi. Slide into the backseat.
It rolls like a glass bottomed boat.
The kids on the corner when they reach in the window
Their arms look like limbs from an oak.
Keep the speed steady. Hold the wheel straight.
I swear I feel each little sway.
Our minds are the windows.
Our bodies are screens.
We scratch
We scrape.
And we dream.
We dream of the limbs of the trees.
We dream of the views from the boats.
Of mountains all covered in oaks.
And we hope.
As we hang from the limbs of the trees.
We cling to the rails of the boats.
The mountains all covered in oaks.
And we dream.
We dream of the limbs of the trees.
We dream of the views from the boats.
Of mountains all covered in oaks.
And we hope.
As we hang from the limbs of the trees.
We cling to the rails on the boats.
The trees as they turn into smoke.
The trees they turn slowly to smoke.
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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.
Gentle Hour
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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/
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.
This is the most beautiful song Craig has ever written.
And the music. The music. That hum at 5:55. That's all we need.
"Tad: I think we became super obsessed with Radiohead's "Exit Music (for a Film) SaveFrom.net." There is a way those guys can really concisely convey an emotional element. There’s something really dour and lonely about that song. There's a feeling of real hopelessness in it. I’m not saying that “Oaks” is anything like that song or even remotely as good as anything Radiohead’s ever done. I mean, those guys are far and beyond what any band could aspire to. I don’t know if you have any friends that have had problems with drugs or anything like that, but I wanted to try to somehow portray this particular emotion that comes up when you’re saying good-bye and you walk away knowing that that’s the last time you’re going to see them.
Craig: That’s again, the big last song, our longest song ever, and that was one that, I don’t know, it’s an obvious ender. At nine minutes, it couldn’t have gone anywhere else, but it’s a big dramatic ending on the album. The coda is something we added later because I felt otherwise it was really dark and I didn't want to go out on this hopeless note. That was one that came together in the studio and surprised everyone. We thought it was a B going in; we thought it was an A when we were done."
vulture.com/2014/04/hold-steady-craig-finn-tad-kubler-pick-best-songs.html