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 my superstitious games
Running circles round my brain when I'm left smiling
I love to steal this living steam
My head in someone's dream
I'm tired of sleeping
Call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
I build my canopy of steel
It fulfills my sense of real
A chrome protection
Call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
It's clear
In this small partition, like a prison
Explode time bomb
If you know where I come from
You call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
Please call me crank, it's what I need
Crank, my mind in seed
Crank, my dream complete
Lay down, lay down, lay down
Running circles round my brain when I'm left smiling
I love to steal this living steam
My head in someone's dream
I'm tired of sleeping
Call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
I build my canopy of steel
It fulfills my sense of real
A chrome protection
Call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
It's clear
In this small partition, like a prison
Explode time bomb
If you know where I come from
You call me crank, my idea
Crank, so super
Crank, my conscience clear
Please call me crank, it's what I need
Crank, my mind in seed
Crank, my dream complete
Lay down, lay down, lay down
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
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.
This song actually has nothing to do with the drug or fans of Catherine Wheel. Rob Dickinson gave an interview in 2006 in which he describes "crank" as being British slang for an odd or eccentric person. When he sings "call me crank," he's actually referring to how he views himself and that he's comfortable in acknowledging that he's a bit unusual. Like most of Dickinson's songs, it's representative of his introspective lyricism.
so i was really convinced that he must be talking about speed. one of my friends very much disagreed. so after a very small intimate show, while he was packing up i approached him to find out the true meaning. he claimed to not even know that speed was referred to as crank, which i found very suspicious, but anyway, he went on to tell me that in the uk a crank means a crazy person. a loon. also i suppose like with many songs there is double antandra of asking for a crank call as well and asking to be verbally referred to as a crank or crazy person . it also makes sense that maybe the term crank call is referring to a call from some nut job. people who make them are fucked up so... i didn't bother asking about crank call thing because its too obvious and anyone who doesn't see it should really give up on trying to find the meaning any song or written word for that matter. i mean he's literally asking for you to call him. well there you go. that was straight from the mans mouth to my ears!!!
This song is about everyone who likes Catherine Wheel. :)
Crank is probably some kind of drug, but I like your idea better.
Crank... the essence of Catherine Wheel
i like your idea too
Cool cbusch, I didn't know that. I love this song.