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.
There's gotta be a record of you someplace
You gotta be on somebody's books
The lowdown, a picture of your face
Your injured looks
The sacred and profane
The pleasure and the pain
Somewhere your fingerprints remain concrete
And it's your face I'm looking for on every street
A ladykiller, regulation tattoo
Silver spurs on his heels
Says, what can I tell you, as I'm standing next to you
She threw herself under my wheels
Oh it's a dangerous road
And a hazardous load
And the fireworks over liberty explode in the heat
And it's your face I'm looking for on every street
A three-chord symphony crashes into space
The moon is hanging upside down
I don't know why it is I'm still on the case
It's a ravenous town
And you still refuse to be traced
Seems to me such a waste
And every victory has a taste that's bittersweet
And it's your face I'm looking for on every street
You gotta be on somebody's books
The lowdown, a picture of your face
Your injured looks
The sacred and profane
The pleasure and the pain
Somewhere your fingerprints remain concrete
And it's your face I'm looking for on every street
A ladykiller, regulation tattoo
Silver spurs on his heels
Says, what can I tell you, as I'm standing next to you
She threw herself under my wheels
Oh it's a dangerous road
And a hazardous load
And the fireworks over liberty explode in the heat
And it's your face I'm looking for on every street
A three-chord symphony crashes into space
The moon is hanging upside down
I don't know why it is I'm still on the case
It's a ravenous town
And you still refuse to be traced
Seems to me such a waste
And every victory has a taste that's bittersweet
And it's your face I'm looking for on every street
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Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I'm going to take a different viewpoint. At the time this song was written (late '80s - early '90s) Britain, like the US was undergoing a problem of young people leaving their families in provincial towns and heading for the bright lights, ie London. I think he is looking for this girl professionally. -If you were looking methodically for someone you would check hospitals, voters registers and the local police or social services - "There's gotta be a record of you somewhere, you've gotta be on somebody's books,"
If you were looking for someone, would you not have a photograph to show around? "The lowdown - a picture of your face".
Does she have a grievance against her family, friends or boyfriend? "The injured looks"
Has she leat things she holds very dear to her; or things she doesn't really care about? "The sacred and profane".
Was she the victim of abuse at home or in a relationship? "The pleasure and the pain"
She's out there somewhere. "Somewhere your fingerprints remain concrete".
As he walks down the street he's looking at all those who pass. "And it's your face I'm looking for, on every street".
He tracks down a man (at a rail or bus station?) These people used to hang around waiting for young people arriving in the city to get them into prostitution or drug dealing. They were often attractive to the young and impressionable. "A ladykiller - regulation tattoo, silver spurs on his heels".
He makes excuses.....it wasn't his fault. "Says what can I tell you, as I'm standing next to you, she threw herself under my wheels".
There are risks in everything, what can I do about it? - "Oh it's a dangerous road, it's a hazardous load"
If she doesn't want to be found, then she can please herself. "The fireworks of liberty explode in the heat, and it's your face I'm looking for. on every street."
Could never decide about the next line. "A three chord symphony crashes into space."
The next line is purely descriptive, he's looking at a reflection in a puddle. Or is he reflecting on the futility of his search, or is the moon mocking his efforts? "The moon is hanging upside down".
He doesn't really think he'll ever find her. "I don't know why I'm still on the case".
He's saying that the city will consume the naive and unwary. "It's a ravenous town"
He won't find her if she doesn't want to be found. "And you still refuse to be traced".
If she feels trapped by the city or her circumstances (drugs, prostitution, crime) "It seems to me such a waste".
When he finds a runaway he may be taking them back to where they were running away from in the first place. "And every victory has a taste that's bitter-sweet".
"And it's your face I'm looking for, on every street."