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 spent a year in the mouth of a whale
With a flame and a book of signs
You'll never know how hard I've failed
Trying to make up for lost time
Once I believed in things unseen
I was blinded by the dark
Out of the multitude to me
He came and broke my heart
When the dust in the field has flown
And the youngest of hearts has grown
And you doubt you will ever be free
Honey, don't bail on me
River is wide and oh so deep
And it winds and winds around
I dream we're happy in my sleep
Floating down and down and down
And the tide rushes by where we stand
And the earth underneath turns to sand
And we're waiting for someone to see
Honey, don't bail on me
Tell ma I loved a man
Even though I turned and ran
Lovely and fine, I could have been
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Staying down in the palm of his hand
In the morning, you wait for the sun
And secretly hope it won't come
But time washes everyone clean
Honey now, don't bail on me
Don't bail on me, don't
Don't bail on me
With a flame and a book of signs
You'll never know how hard I've failed
Trying to make up for lost time
Once I believed in things unseen
I was blinded by the dark
Out of the multitude to me
He came and broke my heart
When the dust in the field has flown
And the youngest of hearts has grown
And you doubt you will ever be free
Honey, don't bail on me
River is wide and oh so deep
And it winds and winds around
I dream we're happy in my sleep
Floating down and down and down
And the tide rushes by where we stand
And the earth underneath turns to sand
And we're waiting for someone to see
Honey, don't bail on me
Tell ma I loved a man
Even though I turned and ran
Lovely and fine, I could have been
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Laying down in the palm of his hand
Staying down in the palm of his hand
In the morning, you wait for the sun
And secretly hope it won't come
But time washes everyone clean
Honey now, don't bail on me
Don't bail on me, don't
Don't bail on me
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Riverwide Lyrics as written by Sheryl Crow
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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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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/
wow I can't believe there's no comments on this, I think it's my favourite sheryl crow song. But i guess describing the meaning behind it is pretty hard. i guess like all good songs it's about love, it seems to be about how she fights for a relationship to work, is desperate for that someone to be there for her. but in the end perhaps ends up pushing him away? anyways, I love this song, and sometimes it's better not to read to much into these things, just enjoy it.
This is probably my favourite Sheryl song, too. The instrumental version is especially HOT! In the The Globe Sessions EPK she says this song wrote itself...and that even to this day she doesn't know what it means, but it is about struggling, definitely. I became enamoured of this song right away when I listened to it, back in 1998. I was 13 years old and I didn't speak any English, but playing this song in a boombox, at 3 am, in the beach, and the sea making choruses for this song... wow. Magical experience. Nowadays, I have applied this song to describe very shitty days and state of minds...when your job sucks, you're broke, your love life is in the mud, etc. and yet, there is someone you love, but are afraid to "infect" with your shitty life, maybe because you feel you don't deserve them... Brilliant song.
I agree that this is an beautiful, truthful, exceptional song. Although I don't particurlarly agree with the other postings...
In my opinion, the underlying meaning speaks of: Fear; Being overwhelmed; Giving up an IDEA of what something is once you begin to understand the TRUTH of what it REALLY is and can only be seen retrospectively, then finding the strength to find a way out and the courage to start again. (lovely and fine I could have been...)
Feeling week, fearful and alone longing for security.
It’s about living with the choices that we make and the pain that comes from them and trusting yourself even after we have made an error in judgment and/or perception.
It also deals with the way that we are perceived by others after we 'fail'.
I also love this song. One of my favorites by Sheryl, I must say.
I think the song's about a woman struggling from her filthy past, and wanting someone or something to come clear it out, but all she has is the countryside. Haha, I don't know. That's my point of view, this song is pretty hard to decipher.
This is the ONLY sheryl crow song I like. It's genius. But I have to totally disagree with the other reviewers (other than moehead). It always struck me as a very literal song. Even the whale bit. To me it is the speaker knowing what the "good" choices in life are. What people expect her/him to do. eg-immersing yourself in religion (I'm pretty sure the whale bit is a story in the bible), or marrying the "right" man, but having the strengths to chose the other. Knowing that being "lovely and fine" meant "being in the palm of his hand" and that being in a whale with the signs means a lot of wasted time. I love songs like this cause there are so many ways for people to interpret them. That's cool! To me though this song is about freedom and wisdom and not waiting for anyone but to go towards what makes you happy.