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.
'Scuse me
I apologize
He likes your attitude
He tries it on for size
He spends the afternoon
Between your thighs
How's that for gratitude
I apologize
It seemed to last for hours
It seemed to last for days
This lady of the flowers
And her hypnotic gaze
'Scuse me
I apologize
She's got vacuum cleaner eyes
That Sucks You In
She's got magazines
Filled with pear pies
'Scuse me
I apologize
It seemed to last for hours
It seemed to last for days
This lady of the flowers
And her hypnotic gaze
She wears her tears on her blouse
Confused and racked with self-doubt
She stole the keys to my house
And then she locked herself out
'Scuse me
I apologize
He likes your attitude
He tries it on for size
He spends the afternoon
Between your thighs
How's that for gratitude
I apologize
It seemed to last for hours
It seemed to last for days
This lady of the flowers
Her electronic haze
She wears her tears on her blouse
Confused and racked with self doubt
She stole the keys to my house
And then she locked herself out
She stole the keys to my house
And then she locked herself out
She lays me down
She lays me
I apologize
He likes your attitude
He tries it on for size
He spends the afternoon
Between your thighs
How's that for gratitude
I apologize
It seemed to last for hours
It seemed to last for days
This lady of the flowers
And her hypnotic gaze
'Scuse me
I apologize
She's got vacuum cleaner eyes
That Sucks You In
She's got magazines
Filled with pear pies
'Scuse me
I apologize
It seemed to last for hours
It seemed to last for days
This lady of the flowers
And her hypnotic gaze
She wears her tears on her blouse
Confused and racked with self-doubt
She stole the keys to my house
And then she locked herself out
'Scuse me
I apologize
He likes your attitude
He tries it on for size
He spends the afternoon
Between your thighs
How's that for gratitude
I apologize
It seemed to last for hours
It seemed to last for days
This lady of the flowers
Her electronic haze
She wears her tears on her blouse
Confused and racked with self doubt
She stole the keys to my house
And then she locked herself out
She stole the keys to my house
And then she locked herself out
She lays me down
She lays me
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More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"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.
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I think this song is about a transvestite.
'Scuse me, I apologize he likes your attitude, he tries it on for size' -I think is about how he prefers his female personality to his real male one.
'he spends the afternoon, between your thighs how's that for gratitude, I apologize' -Is ( I think) about how he hates seeing his penis, cause it reminds him that he's male, when he'd prefer to be female, so he tucks it between his legs, ('spends the afternoon between your thighs')
And 'hows that for gratitude?' is saying like, he's not grateful that he's male, and is resentful of it.
Also, it changes from 'he' to 'she', which is indicative that he's changing his gender.
''She wears her tears on her blouse confused and racked with self-doubt'' -Is about she/he feels confused about wether or not she's doing the right thing by becoming female.
''she stole the keys to my house and then she locked herself out.'' -Possibly means, that by becoming female, she has alienated her family, and so is no longer welcome in the family home, or has been 'locked out.'
'She lays me down she lays me'
Is her finally shedding her male personality/body. Laying it to rest, and never thinking of it again, and just accepting herself as female.