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.
I was not involved at the Northtown Mall.
As a matter of fact I didn't even know that's where it happened.
I was France ave when they came out dancing.
I was Lyndale south. I was kicking it with cousins.
We were talking about going clubbing.
Instead we just started drinking.
I've been straight since the Cinco de Mayo.
Before that I was blotto.
I was blacked out. I was cracked out.
I was caved in.
You should have seen all these portals
That I've powered up in.
We started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
I wasn't there
I was blind high. I was scared.
I was Lake and Columbus.
I was cutting off all my hair.
I was unfurling a flag of defiance
Aimed at my guidance guy.
So this is it.
This is the end of the session.
I ain't gonna be taking any more questions.
I think my attorney's gonna second that notion.
It started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played screaming for vengeance
And we agreed. this world is mostly manacled.
It started ice cream social nice.
It ended up all white and ecumenical.
There are guys
With wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
That's right.
We started recreational.
It ended up all medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'
You thought it was stony and adorable.
It started in the vestibule.
It ended in the hospital.
There are guys
With the wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
There are nights
Where it all comes on a little bit too bright.
There's a cross
And in the center there is a hot soft light
As a matter of fact I didn't even know that's where it happened.
I was France ave when they came out dancing.
I was Lyndale south. I was kicking it with cousins.
We were talking about going clubbing.
Instead we just started drinking.
I've been straight since the Cinco de Mayo.
Before that I was blotto.
I was blacked out. I was cracked out.
I was caved in.
You should have seen all these portals
That I've powered up in.
We started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
I wasn't there
I was blind high. I was scared.
I was Lake and Columbus.
I was cutting off all my hair.
I was unfurling a flag of defiance
Aimed at my guidance guy.
So this is it.
This is the end of the session.
I ain't gonna be taking any more questions.
I think my attorney's gonna second that notion.
It started recreational.
It ended kinda medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played screaming for vengeance
And we agreed. this world is mostly manacled.
It started ice cream social nice.
It ended up all white and ecumenical.
There are guys
With wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
That's right.
We started recreational.
It ended up all medical.
It came on hot and soft and then
It tightened up its tentacles.
The band played 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath'
You thought it was stony and adorable.
It started in the vestibule.
It ended in the hospital.
There are guys
With the wild eyes when they ask to get you high.
There are girls
That will come to you with comfort in the night.
There are nights
Where it all comes on a little bit too bright.
There's a cross
And in the center there is a hot soft light
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
"I was cutting off all my hair." Craig Finn was involved in the Minneapolis hardcore scene in the late 80's/early 90's and a big part of that crew favored shaved heads. I'm not sure if he was involved in the antiracist skinhead scene at all at that time, but it was at it's height in the local hardcore scene at that time, so he clearly would have been aware of it.
I absolutely love this song. Currently my favorite track on the new album. "It started recreational......then it ended medical"---Brilliant!
This is one of my favorite rock songs ever.
This song, as well as this entire album, is absolute proof that The Hold Steady is the best rock band in existence today.
i think this is one of, if not the best song on the album. it starts out as told by a guy being interrogated by the police for a robbery that he denies being involved in, but he plainly was (he knows where it took place then hurries to say "i didn't even know that's where it happened"). probably to get drug money. then he recounts how he started using drugs for fun but it became a necessity, like medicine. i loooooove the line "it started hot and soft and then it tightened up its tentacles." that's brilliant.
everyone of there lyrics are fuckin amazing and have so much meaning. i jus got back from seeing the hold steady in frisco FUCKING AMAZING
Northtown Mall, Lyndale Ave, Lake St... The second best thing about this song (besides the melodic aspects) is all of the Twin Cities references.
the band played screaming for vengeance and we agreed. this world is mostly manacled.
JUDAS PRIEST HELL YEAH
I love the opening lines. It seems he's being interrogated, and it sounds like it's not going so well for him. "I was not involved with what went on there...uhh, I mean, let alone I don't know what you're talking about..."