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.
The bell has tolled
My baby caught that train and gone
The bell has tolled
My baby caught that train and gone
It's all my fault,
I must have did somebody wrong
Everything that happens
You know I am to blame
Everything that's happens
You know I am to blame
I'm wanna find me a doctor
Perhaps my luck will change
My mother she told me these days would surely come,
I wouldn't listen to her, gotta have my fun
My barrel house told, my baby caught that train and gone
It's all my fault,
I must have done somebody wrong
My barrel house told, my baby don't caught that train and gone
My barrel house told, my baby caught that train and gone
It's all my fault, I must-a did somebody wrong
My baby caught that train and gone
The bell has tolled
My baby caught that train and gone
It's all my fault,
I must have did somebody wrong
Everything that happens
You know I am to blame
Everything that's happens
You know I am to blame
I'm wanna find me a doctor
Perhaps my luck will change
My mother she told me these days would surely come,
I wouldn't listen to her, gotta have my fun
My barrel house told, my baby caught that train and gone
It's all my fault,
I must have done somebody wrong
My barrel house told, my baby don't caught that train and gone
My barrel house told, my baby caught that train and gone
It's all my fault, I must-a did somebody wrong
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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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Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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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Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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/
Nice blues-rock song. Is the barrel-house he's referring to a bar? I can't think of what else it'd be.
@Stone Free Came here to discuss this very thing. "Barrel-house" generally means a bar / or the style of music played at old bars that were called that. A lot of songs say "barrel house all night long" which makes sense - drinking and playing music all night. But I wonder what "My barrel-house told" means. I wonder if a barrel-house might also refer to a lover with whom you meat at a barrel house. If so then this would make sense for this song. His lover told on him, so that's why he's in trouble with his wife.
Pretty sure it's "The Bell Has Tolled" not "The Barrel-house told me"
@nysh I think the first 2 times it's "the bell has tolled" and the second two times it's "My barrel house told." But that does bring up the question: How does a barrel house tell ? (see discussion on the Q above). <br /> <br /> <br />