Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
Tell me that this is not the end
Julia
You, my love, my oldest friend
Julia
I see you with flowers in your hair
Julia
Running around without a care
Your days were numbered
Yeah
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
Let the sunlight show your face
Julia
No one knows you in this place
Julia
I see there's a distance in your eyes
Julia
Can I even reach you if I try
Or is this goodbye
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
I will shine my light of hope
And change and everything that
Might have been
If you'd only hear my warning
If you'd only hear me calling
I would shine my light on you
Tell me that this is not the end
Julia
You, my love, my oldest friend
Julia
You put your faith in dreams that kill
Julia
Lying with beauty, breath so still
She couldn't be trusted
Yeah
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
Julia
You, my love, my oldest friend
Julia
I see you with flowers in your hair
Julia
Running around without a care
Your days were numbered
Yeah
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
Let the sunlight show your face
Julia
No one knows you in this place
Julia
I see there's a distance in your eyes
Julia
Can I even reach you if I try
Or is this goodbye
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
I will shine my light of hope
And change and everything that
Might have been
If you'd only hear my warning
If you'd only hear me calling
I would shine my light on you
Tell me that this is not the end
Julia
You, my love, my oldest friend
Julia
You put your faith in dreams that kill
Julia
Lying with beauty, breath so still
She couldn't be trusted
Yeah
And I want you to know
You're doing this to yourself
Time to show me the will to change
And I swear I will help you
I will
I will shine my light on you
Lyrics submitted by manprettys_panties
Julia Lyrics as written by Levine Dobson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
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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.
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"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.
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
It is about one of her friends who had an eating disorder. Unfortunately, I can relate what she says, because my former best friend had an eating disorder. I really wanted to help her. I was there for her and doing my best to do so.
To make a long story short, the disease destroyed our friendship, which is why the "Tell me this is not the end" and "So this is goodbye" really hit me. Because as much as you love this person, you can't do everything for them. They need professional help. If they don't listen to you, you have to leave, or you will get hurt yourself.