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.
Hi my name is stereo Mike
Yeah, we got free tickets to the Bran Van concert
Happening this Monday night at the Pacific Coliseum
You can all call in if you want to answer a couple of questions, mainly, what is Todd's favorite cheese?
Ah, Jackie just called in and said it was a type of Rockford, whatever that is
Give us a ring-a-ding-ding, it's a beautiful day
Yeah Todd, this is Liquid ring-a-ding-dinging
I want those free Bran Van tickets man
What do you think? Todd? (He's alive Mike, alive, Todd)
I woke up again this morning with the sun in my eyes
When Mike came over with a script surprise
A mafioso story with a twist
A To Wong Fu-Julie Newmar Hitch
"Get your ass out of bed" he said, "I'll explain it on the way"
But we did nothing, absolutely nothing that day
And I say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
I got the fever for the flavour
The payback will be later
But still I need a fix
And the girls on the bus kept laughing at us
As we rode on the 10 down to Venice again
Blaring out the g-funk sipping on juice and gin
Just me and a friend feeling kind of groovy, workin' on a movie (yeah, right)
But we did nothing, absolutely buttkiss that day
And I'll say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
(With my mind on my money and my money on my beer, beer)
I know that life is for the taking
So I better wise up and take it quick (yeah, one more time at Trader Vic's)
Well some men there wanted to hurt us
And other men said we weren't worth the fuss
You could catch 'em all bitching by the bar
Above the fine line between the rich and the poor
Then Mike turned to me and said "what you think we got done son?"
We had the conclusion and I guess that's something
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
I got the fever for the nectar, the payback will be later
Still I need a fix
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A.L.A
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A.L.A
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
(He's alive Mike, alive)
L.A., L.A.
Yeah, we got free tickets to the Bran Van concert
Happening this Monday night at the Pacific Coliseum
You can all call in if you want to answer a couple of questions, mainly, what is Todd's favorite cheese?
Ah, Jackie just called in and said it was a type of Rockford, whatever that is
Give us a ring-a-ding-ding, it's a beautiful day
Yeah Todd, this is Liquid ring-a-ding-dinging
I want those free Bran Van tickets man
What do you think? Todd? (He's alive Mike, alive, Todd)
I woke up again this morning with the sun in my eyes
When Mike came over with a script surprise
A mafioso story with a twist
A To Wong Fu-Julie Newmar Hitch
"Get your ass out of bed" he said, "I'll explain it on the way"
But we did nothing, absolutely nothing that day
And I say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
I got the fever for the flavour
The payback will be later
But still I need a fix
And the girls on the bus kept laughing at us
As we rode on the 10 down to Venice again
Blaring out the g-funk sipping on juice and gin
Just me and a friend feeling kind of groovy, workin' on a movie (yeah, right)
But we did nothing, absolutely buttkiss that day
And I'll say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
(With my mind on my money and my money on my beer, beer)
I know that life is for the taking
So I better wise up and take it quick (yeah, one more time at Trader Vic's)
Well some men there wanted to hurt us
And other men said we weren't worth the fuss
You could catch 'em all bitching by the bar
Above the fine line between the rich and the poor
Then Mike turned to me and said "what you think we got done son?"
We had the conclusion and I guess that's something
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
I got the fever for the nectar, the payback will be later
Still I need a fix
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A.L.A
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A.L.A
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
(He's alive Mike, alive)
L.A., L.A.
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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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Page
Ed Sheeran
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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.
I love this song. I first heard it on a rock radio station back when I was in middle school. It was in heavy rotation for a while, and then all of a sudden they stopped playing it. I don't listen to hip-hop, or rap, but this song is still just so awesome. the guitars in the background are so cool; they just give that song a lot of feeling. Great song.