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.
It's not your bubble I'm bursting
But soon a penny's gonna drop
Every time we're conversing
I see your head about to pop
I'm looking at you, don't like what I see
You need to touch ground 'til you're level with me
So you better hold it, hold it down, down
This is bigger than you, it's bigger than me
You're stringing it out like a symphony
So you better hold it, hold it down, down, down
This ain't the me show, keep it on the low
Where's your superego?
You let your head grow, I tried to let you know
When I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it, no, no, no
So where's your superego?
You're my girl, so it's worth it
I'm gonna hit you with the truth
In this world no one's perfect
We're all consumed by what we do
I'm looking at you, don't like what I see
You need to touch ground and get level with me
So you better hold it, hold it down, down
This is bigger than you, it's bigger than me
You're stringing it out like a symphony
So you better hold it, hold it down, down, down, down
This ain't the me show, keep it on the low
Where's your superego?
You let your head grow, I tried to let you know
When I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it, no, no, no
So where's your superego?
So where's your superego?
You've lost a part of your mind
A part that's hard to define
I'm tryna help you with your superego
You've lost a part of your mind
A part that's hard to define
I'm tryna help you with your superego
This ain't the me show, keep it on the low
Where's your superego?
You let your head grow, I tried to let you know
When I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it, no, no, no
So where's your superego?
So where's your superego?
But soon a penny's gonna drop
Every time we're conversing
I see your head about to pop
I'm looking at you, don't like what I see
You need to touch ground 'til you're level with me
So you better hold it, hold it down, down
This is bigger than you, it's bigger than me
You're stringing it out like a symphony
So you better hold it, hold it down, down, down
This ain't the me show, keep it on the low
Where's your superego?
You let your head grow, I tried to let you know
When I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it, no, no, no
So where's your superego?
You're my girl, so it's worth it
I'm gonna hit you with the truth
In this world no one's perfect
We're all consumed by what we do
I'm looking at you, don't like what I see
You need to touch ground and get level with me
So you better hold it, hold it down, down
This is bigger than you, it's bigger than me
You're stringing it out like a symphony
So you better hold it, hold it down, down, down, down
This ain't the me show, keep it on the low
Where's your superego?
You let your head grow, I tried to let you know
When I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it, no, no, no
So where's your superego?
So where's your superego?
You've lost a part of your mind
A part that's hard to define
I'm tryna help you with your superego
You've lost a part of your mind
A part that's hard to define
I'm tryna help you with your superego
This ain't the me show, keep it on the low
Where's your superego?
You let your head grow, I tried to let you know
When I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it
You don't like it, you don't like it
I tell you how it is, you don't like it, no, no, no
So where's your superego?
So where's your superego?
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Light Up The Sky
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Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
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.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.