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.
By my side,
You'll never be.
By my side,
You'll. never. be.
'Cause I'm fake at the seams,
I'm lost in my dreams, and
And I want you to know,
That I can't let you go.
And you're never coming home again,
And you're never coming home again.
By my side,
You'll never be.
By my side,
You'll. never. be.(x2)
I wanted to tell you I changed.
I wanted to tell you that things would be different this time.
I see you, you see me,
Differently.
I see you, you see me,
Differently.
You tell me that you love me but you never want to see me again. (x4)
You'll never be.
By my side,
You'll. never. be.
'Cause I'm fake at the seams,
I'm lost in my dreams, and
And I want you to know,
That I can't let you go.
And you're never coming home again,
And you're never coming home again.
By my side,
You'll never be.
By my side,
You'll. never. be.(x2)
I wanted to tell you I changed.
I wanted to tell you that things would be different this time.
I see you, you see me,
Differently.
I see you, you see me,
Differently.
You tell me that you love me but you never want to see me again. (x4)
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Van Halen
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Thursday
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
this song is so sad, he realizes he needs her but she doesn't feel the same way, greys anatomy is the best show in the world and this song was perfect for the izzy and dennie scene
I'm glad "Grey's Anatomy" gave such a showcase for this song and group. Otherwise, I probably would never have been aware of them, or else I would have "discovered" them months, maybe years, down the road. This is my new favorite song. I watched the show on which it was featured (The one where Meredith “died”.) when it premiered and then watched it again on its encore presentation the next night. Afterward I searched and searched to find the song to download. This song and it being featured on the show may be just what Unkle Bob needs to put them out of the “struggling band” category. It worked for the Frays, didn’t it?
I think it's a stretch to say that the song is perfect for Izzie and Denny. I can see it if I squinch my eyes and turn my head, not take too literal an interpretation. Maybe if they alternate parts of the song, Izzie taking the first and last, Denny taking the middle.
I think the song is more appropriate for the Chief and Ellis Gray, Addison and Derek, Addison and Mark, maybe even George and Izzie, at least in the episode in which it was featured, though I think it's more about romantic love.
My literal interpretation of the song is this, and let's just say -- for simplicity's sake -- it's about a boy and a girl and the boy is the one singing the song. The boy knows in his head that a relationship is over (By my side, you'll never be/And you're never comin' home again), but his heart hasn't caught up to that point ("I want you to know that I can't let you go).
He looks back, thinking of reasons why she left. He is not as practical or responsible or realistic as she would like him to be (I'm lost in my dreams). They disagree on fundamental things about each other (I see you, you see me, differently) and probably about relationships and life in general. Their disagreements are so big that she sees them as insurmountable or that he was unable to change, though he thinks differently (I wanted to tell you I've changed, that things would be different this time). Apparently, she thought so strongly about this that she won’t even listen to him, since he "wanted" to tell her and either didn’t have the chance or just didn’t do it.
The girl has made up her mind that the relationship is over, even though she does love him. It's probably because she loves him that she doesn't want to see him again, fearing that the love will overtake her; she'll give into it, to him, and stay in a relationship that is ultimately unfulfilling (You tell me that you love me, but you never wanna see me again).
It just occurred to me that the guy may have problems with faithfulness, drugs, alcohol, or violence, though I choose to see the couple’s problems as more philosophical, less dramatic but still problems. I guess all breakups are sad, but I think it may be sadder when two people spilt because they just can’t quite get it together. No strong outside forces, no good guys, no bad guys. There’s lots of good stuff there, but the bad or not-so-good stuff outweighs it.
For some reason, this song makes me think of “Linger” by the Cranberries and maybe OMD or some other 80s UK band.
I am a sucker for strings, and the way Unkle Bob uses ‘em in this song gives me goosebumps and practically gives me an orgasm. The plucking of the strings in the middle, the way they build up to the crescendo at the end. If they keep this up, I’ll never sing this song to them.
One more thing -- if you can believe it. What do y'all think the line "I'm fake at the seams" means? That one kinda stumps me. Is he saying that he's not as together as he may appear to be, that he's at risk of coming apart at the seams? Whaddya think?
Could be his excuse for why it's not working maybe he was trying to hold it together for her or he could've seemed emotionless to her.
where it says "I wanted to tell you I’ve changed" it's really "I wanted to tell you what changed"
to respond to smellykellyjay: to understand the sentence "I'm fake at the seams" you have to look at the following line.."Cause I’m fake at the seams" is followed by: I’m lost in my dreams" which to me means he is not sure who he is. He is lost (in his dreams) that are unreal, and therefor he is "fake". I don't think it means he is coming apart, more like he is just someone who is dreaming of what he wants to be but just simply is not.
This song is definately one of my favorites right now after hearing it on Grey's.
Add on to Ashleybfun: I agree with ashley. The guy was too caught up in himself. He wasn't showing his true side, especially during their relationship. However, he's changed now, but it is too late. The girl has had enough. Deep down she still loves him, but right now the best thing for her to do is not have anything to do with him.
I can definately relate to this song. Beautifully done.
words can not explain how much love i have for this song. lets just say i can totally relate to smellykellyjay when it comes to how i get goosebumps and feel like having an orgasm lol. I think the meaning is pretty much covered and i agree with everyone. yay for grey's anatomy. they know their music.
I think this song was chosen for Ellis and the Cheif, though it would probably fit a multitude of situations.
But anyway, I love this song, and I related it to this theory of two women who are in love but can't be together because one of them is married and chooses not to leave her husband. youtube.com/watch
I made a video/slideshow thing using this song.
youtube.com/watch
Um, actually, the lyrics are "I wanted to tell you I'D changed." It's on their site.