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 guess you have to have a problem if you want to invent a contraption
First, you cause a train wreck then they put me in traction
Well, first came an action and then a reaction
But you can't switch around for your own satisfaction
Well, you burnt my house down and got mad at my reaction
Well, in every complicated situation of a human relation
Makin' sense of it all takes a whole lot of concentration
Well, you can blame a baby for her pregnant ma
And if there's one of these unavoidable laws
It's that you just can't take the effect and make it the cause
No
Well, you can't take the effect and make it the cause
I didn't rob a bank because you made up the law
Blame me for robbing Peter, don't you blame Paul
Can't take the effect and make it the cause
I ain't the reason that you gave me no reason to return your call
You built a house of cards and got shocked when you saw them fall
Yeah, well, I ain't saying I'm innocent, in fact, the reverse
But if you're headed to the grave, you don't blame the hearse
You're like a little girl yelling at her brother 'cause you lost his ball
yeah
Well, you keep blaming me for what you did, but that ain't all
The way you clean up the wreck is enough to give one pause, yes
Well, you seem to forget just how this all started
I'm reacting to you because you left me broken-hearted
See, you just can't take the effect and make it the cause
Well you can't take the effect and make it the cause
I didn't rob a bank because you made up the law
Blame me for robbing Peter, but don't you blame Paul
Can't take the effect and make it the cause
First, you cause a train wreck then they put me in traction
Well, first came an action and then a reaction
But you can't switch around for your own satisfaction
Well, you burnt my house down and got mad at my reaction
Well, in every complicated situation of a human relation
Makin' sense of it all takes a whole lot of concentration
Well, you can blame a baby for her pregnant ma
And if there's one of these unavoidable laws
It's that you just can't take the effect and make it the cause
No
Well, you can't take the effect and make it the cause
I didn't rob a bank because you made up the law
Blame me for robbing Peter, don't you blame Paul
Can't take the effect and make it the cause
I ain't the reason that you gave me no reason to return your call
You built a house of cards and got shocked when you saw them fall
Yeah, well, I ain't saying I'm innocent, in fact, the reverse
But if you're headed to the grave, you don't blame the hearse
You're like a little girl yelling at her brother 'cause you lost his ball
yeah
Well, you keep blaming me for what you did, but that ain't all
The way you clean up the wreck is enough to give one pause, yes
Well, you seem to forget just how this all started
I'm reacting to you because you left me broken-hearted
See, you just can't take the effect and make it the cause
Well you can't take the effect and make it the cause
I didn't rob a bank because you made up the law
Blame me for robbing Peter, but don't you blame Paul
Can't take the effect and make it the cause
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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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Pretty obvious meaning, you cant blame the person you fucked over for getting fucked over, as silly as it may seem, people do it all the time.
Well, haha this song OBVIOUSLY has nothing to do with the war in Iraq. It's a fun, catchy song about a guy who's getting bitched at by his girl (either his ex or his girlfriend or his object of unrequited love) for reacting to her bitchiness. The greatest line ever is:
I ain't the reason that you gave me no reason to return your call
Jack White is a genius. These lyrics are proof.
"If you're headed to the grave don't blame the hearse"
One of my favorite Stripes songs. A little Bible reference in this one. I guess you guys know Jack almost became a Preacher before he hit it big, right?
How on earth do people take such an obvious (but brilliant) song and get war and abortion?
It's about blaming somebody else for the outcome of your actions.
I got it in one line there, was there really any need for the essays on Iraq?
This song is very fun and catchy.
you seem to forget just how this song started i'm reacting to you cos you left me broken hearted
best white stripes song ever
obvious meaning, don't do something and blame someone else for it, especially the person you're doing it to!
The lyrics to this are just a little bit wrong...
I guess you have to have a probelm if you want to invent a contraption First you cause a trainwreck then they put me in traction well first came an action and then a reaction but you can't switch 'em around for your own satisfaction well you burnt my house down and then got mad at my reaction
well in every complicated situation of a human relation, making sense of it all takes a whole lot of concentration well you can't blame a baby for her pregnant ma and if there's one of these on her auto applause
its just that you can't just take the effect and make it the cause
well you can't take the effect and make it the cause i didn't rob a bank because you made up the law blame me for robbing peter but don't you blame paul can't take the effect and make it the cause
i aint the reason that you gave me no reason to return your call you built a house of cards and got shocked when you saw them fall well i aint saying i'm innocent in fact the reverse but if your heading to the grave you don't blame the hearse you're like a little girl yelling at her brother cos you lost his ball
you keep blaming me for what you did but that aint all the way you clean up a wreck is enough to get one caused you seem to forget just how this song started i'm reacting to you cos you left me broken hearted
its just that you can't just take the effect and make it the cause
well you can't take the effect and make it the cause i didn't rob a bank cos you made up the law blame me for robbing peter don't you blame paul can't take the effect and make it the cause
Awesome song. Jack's voice in this song is adorable. The lyrics are unmistakenly candid... and straight forward.
i didn't rob a bank cos you made up the law
Also, perhaps expecting people to live and act by your rules.