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.
No warning sign, no alibi.
Were fading faster than the speed of light.
Took our chance, crashed and burned.
No, we'll never ever learn.
I fell apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again, yeah.
We both could see crystal clear
That the inevitable end was near.
Made our choice, a trial by fire,
To battle is the only way we feel alive.
I fell apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again.
Way-oh (x6)
So here we are, the witching hour,
The quickest t tongue to divide and devour.
Divide and devour.
If I could end the quest for fire,
For truth, for love, and my desire.
My soul.
And I fell apart, but got back up again.
Way-o (x9)
I fell apart (x4)
I fell apart, but got back up again.
Were fading faster than the speed of light.
Took our chance, crashed and burned.
No, we'll never ever learn.
I fell apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again, yeah.
We both could see crystal clear
That the inevitable end was near.
Made our choice, a trial by fire,
To battle is the only way we feel alive.
I fell apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again.
Way-oh (x6)
So here we are, the witching hour,
The quickest t tongue to divide and devour.
Divide and devour.
If I could end the quest for fire,
For truth, for love, and my desire.
My soul.
And I fell apart, but got back up again.
Way-o (x9)
I fell apart (x4)
I fell apart, but got back up again.
Lyrics submitted by sandwichbunzzz, edited by KeroseneFire
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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”
I Can't Go To Sleep
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Just A Little Lovin'
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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/
God, this song is beautiful. It's all about finding hope in the dark times of life. I hope the boys of 30STM know that this is one of those songs that could one day save someone's life. Or maybe already has. =)
@babyghostrogue I can confirm it saved me when I was in a dark place.
this song is amazing. it was recorded in Jared Leto's house if you listen carefully at the very start of the song you can hear someone washing the dishes, they knew it was on there but decided to leave it because they wanted the song to sound "raw"
Really??? How do you know it was recorded there?? that's cool if it really wass
I don't know if you got the actual CD or got it online, but I didn't hear that at all and I have the CD. That might have been a different version or an altered version or something.
Actually, after listening to it many times and at different volumes, I finally heard clanking dishes in the background. (: But I still don't believe it was recorded in his house.
Haha, I knew I heard something in the beginning. Thats pretty coool :)
Obviously everyone can and should interpret it in their own way; but here's my view on it.. I don't think it has much to do with a break up or something, but rather with "life" as a whole. Everyone knows he/she will die in a relativly short time (fading fast towards the speed of light, inevitable end, ..) and in that time he will fall and get back up again, and again fall and so on.. but there's a 'drive' to keep on fighting (To battle is the only way we feel) for what you believe in, bc you need that to give this life meaning (the quest for fire, truth, love, desire) and chosing what you live for can help or break you (trial by fire) ... well anyway, that's how interpret it
This is the best song off "This Is War"
It's my favorite from new album too. It has such a sad note to it, but that one line ''but got back up again'' is giving it amazing hope! Jareds screaming towards the end is giving me chills... Great song.
this song is amazing its so sad but when jared leto said my desire with that little laugh makes me smile every time
Agreed, this is such a powerful and emotional song. It can be interpreted in many different ways, and it can be applied in various concepts too, such as relationships (going through a break-up) or just struggles and problems in general. I'd like to think of it as him retelling a certain story or part of his life, where he "fell down but got back up again." This song is basically reaching out the point that there will be times when you will fall, get hurt, and feel pain; however, that should not stop you from getting back up again and continuing to live your life.
This is a song of remorse. Jared regretfully wishes for an "alibi," somewhere else to be during a war that has consumed his will, his physicality and his very emotions.
"Took our chance, crashed and burned," alludes to the fallen comrades that died perhaps without mercy or respect. They were thrown in without "warning sign" and now they will "never ever learn." It is the leaders giving commands who are to blame' "the quickest tongue to divide and devour."
Divide is a metaphor for the opinions of a nation, of surrounding nations, of the enemy and of the soldiers themselves who are forced to fight regardless of their "truth," "love" or "desire." It is a never-ending "quest for fire" that is horrific and brings out the worst in those who suffer its despicable wrath; "...to battle is the only way we feel alive."
This pain is not enough to break our subject, as it is for love, war and life... we "fell apart, but got back up again."
I think this song is about picking yourself up after taking a hard fall. It doesn't matter if thats in life, relationships, war, or what not. Its a song of hope.
Happened on this one by chance while listening to my MP3 CD with them on it. It kind fits with some of the chit I've dealt with in the last couple months. Pretty uplifting if you stop and listen to it.
Am I the only one who noticed that the line "I fell apart" and the line "The secret is out" from A Modern Myth almost sound the same in rhythm and melody. Maybe the songs have some sort of connection. Just a thought.