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.
Love is alive
Love is alive, yeah
Love is alive
Love is alive, yeah
Yeah yeah
Whoo
Yah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah)
When I think that it's time to get ready
To realize just what I have found
I have been only half of what I am
It's all clear to me now
My heart is on fire
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
My love is alive
My love is alive
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Whoo
(Yeah)
Well there's something inside
That's makin' me crazy
I try to keep me together
Cause baby what I take
May not happen that way
No I could be
The way I could be ever
(My heart is on fire)
My heart's on fire, baby
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
(My love is alive) so alive of beauty yeah
My love is alive
I can believe
(My love is alive)
Uh yeah, uh yeah
Uh feel so alive, yeah yeah
Whoo
Yeah
There's a mirror moving inside my mind
Reflecting the love that is shining on me
Just call out
To that feeling
Let it go, let it flow
Whoa
(My heart is on fire)
My heart is on fire
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
My love is alive, uh yeah
My love is alive
Yeah yeah yeah
(My heart is on fire)
My heart is on fire, baby
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
My love is alive, uh yeah
My love is alive
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Cause my love is alive
Love is alive, yeah
Love is alive
Love is alive, yeah
Yeah yeah
Whoo
Yah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah)
When I think that it's time to get ready
To realize just what I have found
I have been only half of what I am
It's all clear to me now
My heart is on fire
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
My love is alive
My love is alive
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Whoo
(Yeah)
Well there's something inside
That's makin' me crazy
I try to keep me together
Cause baby what I take
May not happen that way
No I could be
The way I could be ever
(My heart is on fire)
My heart's on fire, baby
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
(My love is alive) so alive of beauty yeah
My love is alive
I can believe
(My love is alive)
Uh yeah, uh yeah
Uh feel so alive, yeah yeah
Whoo
Yeah
There's a mirror moving inside my mind
Reflecting the love that is shining on me
Just call out
To that feeling
Let it go, let it flow
Whoa
(My heart is on fire)
My heart is on fire
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
My love is alive, uh yeah
My love is alive
Yeah yeah yeah
(My heart is on fire)
My heart is on fire, baby
My soul's like a wheel that's turning
My love is alive, uh yeah
My love is alive
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Cause my love is alive
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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,
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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.