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.
Oh hey, I wasn't listening
I was watching Syria
Blinded by the sunshine strip
You, you were in the kitchen
Oh, your mariner's mouth
The wounded with the wounder's whip
And that's how summer passed away
The great dividing range, the green, green grass
And oh, maybe it was peace at last
Who knew?
Hello love, my invincible friend
Oh, hello love, the thistle and the burr
Oh, hello love, for you I have so many words
But I, I forget where we were, no
Oh hey, I wasn't listening
I was stung by all of us
The blind leading out the bored
And as per usual
You were skipping and laughing
Eyes at the bedroom door
"Don't take it so seriously, no
Only time is ours, the rest we'll just wait and see!"
Maybe you're right, babe
Maybe
Oh, Lord
And that's how summer passed
Oh, the great dividing range, the green, green grass
And oh, maybe I'll hold on fast
To you
Then hello love, my invincible friend
Oh, hello love, the thistle and the burr
Oh, hello love, for you I have so many words
But I, I forget where we were, no
I forget where we were, no
I forget where we were, no
I forget where we were
Oh, Lord
And that's how summer passed
Oh, the great dividing range, the green, green grass
And oh, maybe it was peace at last
Who knew?
I was watching Syria
Blinded by the sunshine strip
You, you were in the kitchen
Oh, your mariner's mouth
The wounded with the wounder's whip
And that's how summer passed away
The great dividing range, the green, green grass
And oh, maybe it was peace at last
Who knew?
Hello love, my invincible friend
Oh, hello love, the thistle and the burr
Oh, hello love, for you I have so many words
But I, I forget where we were, no
Oh hey, I wasn't listening
I was stung by all of us
The blind leading out the bored
And as per usual
You were skipping and laughing
Eyes at the bedroom door
"Don't take it so seriously, no
Only time is ours, the rest we'll just wait and see!"
Maybe you're right, babe
Maybe
Oh, Lord
And that's how summer passed
Oh, the great dividing range, the green, green grass
And oh, maybe I'll hold on fast
To you
Then hello love, my invincible friend
Oh, hello love, the thistle and the burr
Oh, hello love, for you I have so many words
But I, I forget where we were, no
I forget where we were, no
I forget where we were, no
I forget where we were
Oh, Lord
And that's how summer passed
Oh, the great dividing range, the green, green grass
And oh, maybe it was peace at last
Who knew?
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Just A Little Lovin'
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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
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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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
Possibly autobiographical and if so there's a rather beautiful apology in here.
He is watching the news, and seeing the state of the world and the atrocities man is able to inflict on each other and the earliest opportunity, and takes it a little too to heart.
"Oh, your mariner’s mouth the wounded with the wounder's whip" think points toward an argument between them, and she is cursing at him for not seeing "Don't take it so seriously...Only time is ours".
They're both right, you can't ignore the wolves at the door, but you also have to realise what you hold immediately in front of you.
@xdvr Saw his mini-interview discussing the song title and he mentions something similar. youtube.com/watch
To me, Howard is looking back on a past relationship with someone that he deeply loved and cared about. Although he cared for this person, their relationship was filled with fights none the less. Howard may of taken for granted his relationship with this person... He remembers fine details like "you were in the kitchen" and his love saying "only time is ours". But suddenly as he is recalling the memories, he can't remember a detail. He forgets where they were. This song is about slowly moving on. Slowly forgetting a past love and realizing that you are moving on. There are feelings on sadness and regret, and a little bit of shock that he can't recall a certain moment that you once held close to you. Its about forgetting, regardless of the fact you are ready to or not.
For me this is song about the a man falling deeply in love.
He begins by looking back on a previous relationship. A relationship in which, at the time, he was distracted, inattentive, unable to give his partner the attention she deserved: 'I wasn't listening'. He then goes on to talk of the lost time that resulted from this inanition: 'that's how summer passed'. It's worth noting the use of 'summer', a word with connotations of preciousness. Hence, the narrator can be thought of in almost a state of grief of the time lost to distraction.
His remorse quickly turns to more level-headed reflection, however, as he then posits that 'maybe it was peace at last'. This is an allusion to the great strength of love that he still feels for his partner. He then proceeds by stating more explicitly: 'Hello, love my invincible friend'. The continued use of the perfect tense throughout the song give strong weight to the conviction that the subject relationship is over, yet the consistent imagery of love conveys a deeper meaning. That he wasn't in love then, but he is now.