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.
She went from table manners, to tunnel vision, to premature farewells
With the restlessness reserved for those who believed in themselves
She thought the world was hers so she made sure it bent beneath her will
She was as new and as ancient as the solar-paneled hills
She was certain she could take this town by storm, the wonder of sound and
Light seeking a form
But somewhere along the way, the dots didn't all connect, the promise
Became regrets
Somewhere along the way, the dream and the circumstance continued their
Tortured dance
Somewhere along the way
She was my lullaby, personified,
My vision in the mist
But her contacts were all promoters and a westside therapist
The 5 am's, the worried friends, the parting of her lips, but I needed to
Witness someone wrestle with what it means to just exist
How her only plan in life was getting lost, how she took me to the edge and
Made me watch
But somewhere along the way, the running just lost its fun, it happens to
Everyone
Somewhere along the way, the trail became too obscure, but that was her
Signature
She would talk about letting go,
I guess I didn't understand
Giving over to the currents
That were there since time began
On the long drive from El Paso to the Pacific Ocean cliffs, I finally felt
Connected to the continental drift
But somewhere along the way, I started to smile again
I don't remember when
Somewhere along the way, things will turn out just fine, I know it's true
This time.
Somewhere along the way
With the restlessness reserved for those who believed in themselves
She thought the world was hers so she made sure it bent beneath her will
She was as new and as ancient as the solar-paneled hills
She was certain she could take this town by storm, the wonder of sound and
Light seeking a form
But somewhere along the way, the dots didn't all connect, the promise
Became regrets
Somewhere along the way, the dream and the circumstance continued their
Tortured dance
Somewhere along the way
She was my lullaby, personified,
My vision in the mist
But her contacts were all promoters and a westside therapist
The 5 am's, the worried friends, the parting of her lips, but I needed to
Witness someone wrestle with what it means to just exist
How her only plan in life was getting lost, how she took me to the edge and
Made me watch
But somewhere along the way, the running just lost its fun, it happens to
Everyone
Somewhere along the way, the trail became too obscure, but that was her
Signature
She would talk about letting go,
I guess I didn't understand
Giving over to the currents
That were there since time began
On the long drive from El Paso to the Pacific Ocean cliffs, I finally felt
Connected to the continental drift
But somewhere along the way, I started to smile again
I don't remember when
Somewhere along the way, things will turn out just fine, I know it's true
This time.
Somewhere along the way
Lyrics submitted by regancatherine
Somewhere Along the Way Lyrics as written by Taylor Goldsmith
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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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”
Mountain Song
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
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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/
Clearly, this song is about a very driven woman who perhaps does not really know herself, but at the same time is comfortable with this. However, she pursues her current calling tenaciously as she makes sure the world bend "beneath her will." To me, this seems to be what the singer finds attractive in women, as he says "She was as new and as ancient as the solar paneled hills." This means that while she is new to him, there is something very familiar about her as this part of her resembles other women he has been with.
Here is where things get a little tough to interpret, and it may have been meant to be that way. I was talking to a friend, and they seem to think the choruses are all about the girl, where I believe it is about their relationship from the man's perspective. Essentially the first chorus is saying that their relationship is not turning out like they had planned it, or at least like he had dreamed it would be.
The following verse dives into how self-driven she had a lot of problems herself in terms of working through life's struggles, but as Taylor says he "needed to witness someone wrestle with what it means to just exist."
The next two lines emphasize how he is being dragged though her struggles with figuring out her life, and the following verse explains that chasing after her and/or being dragged along with her began to lose its fun. The line "it happens to everyone" I believe shows that this is more a commentary on relationships as a whole. That men don't find women who have everything completely figured out to be intriguing to our own detriment.
However, in the final verse he talks about how while he was with her she tried to teach him that having everything planned out is not always the best way to live, but at the time he didn't understand that. But after leaving her, and making his way back home he began to understand. And is now "connected to the continental drift." (lets the world decide his fate).
Suddenly, in the final chorus there is a total change of tone. He begins to realize that maybe blind optimism is the better way to live, and that he should let life take its course. He now believes that "Things will turn out just fine."
All in all, and incredible song. I believe there could be many different interpretations, and that's what makes it great. I also appreciate how the chorus does not have entirely repeated lyrics throughout. This adds to the storytelling nature of the song, as well as the kind of "go with the flow" message that the man finally understands in the end.
@brperdomo8 I like you interpretation. Tell me, did they make it?