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.
In my head I found you there
And running around and following me
But you don't dare
But I find that I have, now, more
Than I ever wanted to
So maybe Thomas Jefferson wasn't born
In your backyard like you have said and
Maybe I'm just the horizon you run to when she has left
You there you are, here in my head and
Running around and calling me "come back
I'll show you the roses that brush off the snow and
Open their petals again and again" and you know that
Apple green ice cream can melt in your hands I can't so I
Held your hand at the fair and
Even forgot what time it was
And even Thomas Jefferson wasn't born
In your backyard like you have said and
Maybe I'm just the horizon you run to
When she has left you and me here alone on the floor
You're counting my feathers as the bells toll
You see the bow and belt and the girl from the south all
Favorites of mine you know then all well
And spring brings fresh little puddles that makes it all clear makes it all
Do you know what this is doing to me
Here in my head.
And running around and following me
But you don't dare
But I find that I have, now, more
Than I ever wanted to
So maybe Thomas Jefferson wasn't born
In your backyard like you have said and
Maybe I'm just the horizon you run to when she has left
You there you are, here in my head and
Running around and calling me "come back
I'll show you the roses that brush off the snow and
Open their petals again and again" and you know that
Apple green ice cream can melt in your hands I can't so I
Held your hand at the fair and
Even forgot what time it was
And even Thomas Jefferson wasn't born
In your backyard like you have said and
Maybe I'm just the horizon you run to
When she has left you and me here alone on the floor
You're counting my feathers as the bells toll
You see the bow and belt and the girl from the south all
Favorites of mine you know then all well
And spring brings fresh little puddles that makes it all clear makes it all
Do you know what this is doing to me
Here in my head.
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Light Up The Sky
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
It's about being used...the guy's got a girlfriend, and she's just "the horizon you run to when she has left you"...so she doesn't mean that much to him, he's ultimately just using her, yet he's constantly in her head...she adores him. the way she wails "hey, do you know know what this is doing to me, here in my head?" is so emotional it's spine chilling, shows how much he means to her, how much he's taken over her...
He's lying to her: "So maybe Thomas Jefferson wasn't born in your back yard, like you have said...", and she doesn't mean anything to him compared to what he means to her. Sometimes he'll have her, sometimes not. "i found you there...but you don't oh dare now..." It's a painful situation.