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.
Look around you, look up here
Take time to make time
Make time to be there
Look around, be a part
Feel for the winter
But don't have a cold heart
And I love you best
You're not like the rest
You're there when I need you
You're there when I need
I'm gonna need you
A long time ago
I had a lady to love
She made me think of things
I never thought of
Now she's gone and I'm on my own
A love song has come into my mind
A love song
It was there all the time
So lady
Let me take a look at you now
You're there on the dance floor
Making me want you somehow
Oh lady
I think it's only fair
I should say to you
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
'Cause maybe I do
Look around, come to me
I have no answers
But know where I wanna be
I look around, play a part
I was born in the winter
And cooled by a warm heart
And I love you best
You're not like the rest
You're there when I need you
You're there when I need
I'm gonna need you
So lady
Let me take a look at you now
You're there on the dance floor
Making me want you somehow
Oh lady
I think it's only fair I should say to you
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
'Cause maybe I do
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
Lady I do
Take time to make time
Make time to be there
Look around, be a part
Feel for the winter
But don't have a cold heart
And I love you best
You're not like the rest
You're there when I need you
You're there when I need
I'm gonna need you
A long time ago
I had a lady to love
She made me think of things
I never thought of
Now she's gone and I'm on my own
A love song has come into my mind
A love song
It was there all the time
So lady
Let me take a look at you now
You're there on the dance floor
Making me want you somehow
Oh lady
I think it's only fair
I should say to you
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
'Cause maybe I do
Look around, come to me
I have no answers
But know where I wanna be
I look around, play a part
I was born in the winter
And cooled by a warm heart
And I love you best
You're not like the rest
You're there when I need you
You're there when I need
I'm gonna need you
So lady
Let me take a look at you now
You're there on the dance floor
Making me want you somehow
Oh lady
I think it's only fair I should say to you
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
'Cause maybe I do
Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you
Lady I do
Lyrics submitted by IllusoryFreedom
Lady Lyrics as written by Graham George Goble Graeham George Goble
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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I'm not sure about the meaning,but I like this song.It's #2 on my list of favorite Little River Band songs,right after Take It Easy On Me
That wasn't supposed to be submitted so early...
He used to have a lady, but she left. Is the lady being addressed that one or a new one? I guess she's the new one, but he could be fantasizing over the former as some other writers have done.
If this is addressed to his former lady, isn't this lyric a bit rude? He addresses her as she dances, "Don't be thinkin' that I don't want you 'Cause maybe I do." Or does he address her - maybe he only considers it?
If this isn't addressed to his former lady, what does the former have to do with the more recent? Why mention her?
Not to mention the temperature idioms.
I think he's mentioning his former girl throughout the song. He sees her dancing. He's playing it cool, acting like he's alright without her, but he really wants her back. That's my interpretation.
The melody sounds ok, but the meaning lacks. "I love you best"... oh wow isn't that special. So he whore dogs arround.
I get tired of these kinds of people pushing their values. It's the preachy undertone that made this band suck.
RJ
What "values" are they pushing on people? And how is this song preachy?
If you don't believe me, check out lonesome loser.
RJ
I think this is a song about someone who finds themselves single again, trying to win back an old love. He didn't know what he had back then, but he does now and he's hoping she will have an open mind and take him back.
i think he broke up with girl, but when he sees her dancing he still wants her for the physical part of the relationship. He's kind of being a jerk saying "hey, I broke up with you, but i still want you.."
I think this song is about a guy that is now single who sees a girl he likes dancing and he is feeling lonely and wants to be with her.
I feel this song could be about a widow starting over after the loss of his wife.
The 'lady' he is seeing on the dancefloor feels she cannot compete with the wife that has passed on and he is trying to reassure her that she can...... "Don't be thinking that I do want you because Lady I do.
@teresa1031 I think we are all slightly more stupid now. Thank you for that expiation.
Recently my husband of 31 years took his life 3 days after I discovered his secret life of infidelities and told him I did not want him anymore. He was ashamed that he used extramarital sex as his self medication. Ever since, songs pop into my mind and I look up the meaning of the lyrics. To me, my spouse is communicating to me that he truly loved and still loves me. The hook ups meant nothing and I was different from them and was his everything. He wants me to know that he is watching me and is remorseful that he didn’t appreciate what he had and lost me. He wants me to move on and enjoy my life and find new love, but always know he loves me.