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.
I walked through the city limits
(Someone talked me in to try and do it)
Attracted by some force within it
(Had to close my eyes to get close to it)
Around a corner where a prophet lay
(Saw the place where she'd had a room to stay)
A wire fence where the children played
(Saw the bed where the body lay)
And I was looking for a friend of mine
(And I had no time to waste)
Yeah, looking for some friends of mine
The cars screeched, hear the sound on dust
(Heard a noise just a car outside)
Metallic blue turned red with rust
(Pulled in close by the building's side)
In a group all forgotten youth
(Had to think, collect my senses now)
Are turned on to a knife-edged view
(Find some places where my friends don't know)
And I was looking for a friend of mine
(And I had no time to waste)
Yeah, looking for some friends of mine
Down the dark streets (getting darker now)
The houses looked the same (faces look the same)
I walked 'round and 'round (stomach torn apart)
They nailed me to a tree (had to think again)
Trying to find a clue (trying to move away)
Trying to find a way to get out (had to move away and keep out)
Four twelve windows, ten in a row
(Behind a wall where a room to go)
The light shined like a neon show
(See the deep mellow warmth of the glow)
No place to stop, no place to go
(No time to lose, had to keep on going)
I guess they died some time ago
(I guess they died some time ago)
And I was looking for a friend of mine
(And I had no time to waste)
Yeah, looking for some friends of mine
(Someone talked me in to try and do it)
Attracted by some force within it
(Had to close my eyes to get close to it)
Around a corner where a prophet lay
(Saw the place where she'd had a room to stay)
A wire fence where the children played
(Saw the bed where the body lay)
And I was looking for a friend of mine
(And I had no time to waste)
Yeah, looking for some friends of mine
The cars screeched, hear the sound on dust
(Heard a noise just a car outside)
Metallic blue turned red with rust
(Pulled in close by the building's side)
In a group all forgotten youth
(Had to think, collect my senses now)
Are turned on to a knife-edged view
(Find some places where my friends don't know)
And I was looking for a friend of mine
(And I had no time to waste)
Yeah, looking for some friends of mine
Down the dark streets (getting darker now)
The houses looked the same (faces look the same)
I walked 'round and 'round (stomach torn apart)
They nailed me to a tree (had to think again)
Trying to find a clue (trying to move away)
Trying to find a way to get out (had to move away and keep out)
Four twelve windows, ten in a row
(Behind a wall where a room to go)
The light shined like a neon show
(See the deep mellow warmth of the glow)
No place to stop, no place to go
(No time to lose, had to keep on going)
I guess they died some time ago
(I guess they died some time ago)
And I was looking for a friend of mine
(And I had no time to waste)
Yeah, looking for some friends of mine
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When We Were Young
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
This is definately one of my favorite Joy Division songs... I love the feel of it, it's kind of manic. Even so, I have no idea what it means, or even if it means anything. ^__^;;