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.
Come here I'm gonna tell you how this will end.
Come here I'm gonna drag you down as they ascend
Guns go off and acid rains down, the face of this town
Blood and dirt and dirty blood money, an explosive sound
The whole ground cracks
From the oil and the blood on the tracks because
All the devil's toys
(Now you're gonna see them)
When I bring you this
All the devils toys
(Now you're gonna hear them rise)
Listen I'm gonna take you to where it starts
Listen I'm gonna lead you to the dead at heart
Charlatans ride and libertines run and the dollhouse flames
Cars are burning and citizens crawl and the mercury drains
The whole ground cracks
From the oil and the blood on the tracks because
All the devil's toys
Now you're gonna see them
When I bring you this
All the devils toys
Now you're gonna hear them rise
Taste the devil's kiss
All these courtesans' eyes
Some secret, some cold
And their will is like ice
It's dark, it's bought, it's used and it's sold
Can you hear his voice, it sounds of vengeance
Can you hear the noise, it is an anthem there
Death's face will break your fists, if you try to resist
Death's face will break your fists, if you try to resist
All the devil's toys
Now you're gonna see them
When I bring you this
All the devils toys
Now you're gonna hear them rise
All the devil's toys
Come here I'm gonna drag you down as they ascend
Guns go off and acid rains down, the face of this town
Blood and dirt and dirty blood money, an explosive sound
The whole ground cracks
From the oil and the blood on the tracks because
All the devil's toys
(Now you're gonna see them)
When I bring you this
All the devils toys
(Now you're gonna hear them rise)
Listen I'm gonna take you to where it starts
Listen I'm gonna lead you to the dead at heart
Charlatans ride and libertines run and the dollhouse flames
Cars are burning and citizens crawl and the mercury drains
The whole ground cracks
From the oil and the blood on the tracks because
All the devil's toys
Now you're gonna see them
When I bring you this
All the devils toys
Now you're gonna hear them rise
Taste the devil's kiss
All these courtesans' eyes
Some secret, some cold
And their will is like ice
It's dark, it's bought, it's used and it's sold
Can you hear his voice, it sounds of vengeance
Can you hear the noise, it is an anthem there
Death's face will break your fists, if you try to resist
Death's face will break your fists, if you try to resist
All the devil's toys
Now you're gonna see them
When I bring you this
All the devils toys
Now you're gonna hear them rise
All the devil's toys
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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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"'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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“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.