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.
A strange kind of love
A strange kind of feeling
Swims through your eyes
And like the doors
To a wide vast dominion
They open to your prise
This is no terror ground
Or place for the rage
No broken hearts
White wash lies
Just a taste for the truth
Perfect taste choice and meaning
A look into your eyes
Blind to the gemstone alone
A smile from a frown circles round
Should he stay or should he go
Let him shout a rage so strong
A rage that knows no right or wrong
And take a little piece of you
There is no middle ground
Or that's how it seems
For us to walk or to take
Instead we tumble down
Either side left or right
To love or to hate
A strange kind of feeling
Swims through your eyes
And like the doors
To a wide vast dominion
They open to your prise
This is no terror ground
Or place for the rage
No broken hearts
White wash lies
Just a taste for the truth
Perfect taste choice and meaning
A look into your eyes
Blind to the gemstone alone
A smile from a frown circles round
Should he stay or should he go
Let him shout a rage so strong
A rage that knows no right or wrong
And take a little piece of you
There is no middle ground
Or that's how it seems
For us to walk or to take
Instead we tumble down
Either side left or right
To love or to hate
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
I think bambino pretty much got it right.
The way I interpret it, a woman who is married or engaged has fallen in love with another man. The love they share is pure, but that's also the problem. This man is "blind to the gemstone" and "alone". His love for this woman transcends the very grim reality... "a smile from a frown circles 'round"... that ultimately they cannot be together. If he is unable to "walk", she must take it upon herself to end it... "let him shout a rage so strong, a rage that knows no right or wrong". This "rage" "knows no right or wrong" because it is wholly a product of love that has been denied by circumstances beyond one's control or understanding. "There is no middle ground" is pretty self explanatory. "Or that's how it seems" would indicates to me that neither are sure of what to make of this love, hence why it is "strange". "For us to walk, or to take (from each other)" is the choice both are faced with. They "tumble down" is a result of their indecision. "To love or to hate" is the path they will choose.
Beautiful song, really.
The way I interpret this song is by a love triangle. The girl must choose ("either side left or right") between two guys. "There is no middle ground."
Could be just between a guy and a girl, but the line "for us to walk" suggests that there's two decisions and that one of them is going to love her for it and the other is going to hate her for it.
Once, again, I relate this to one of my own experiences.
I interpret the song as follows (including the build up of the music): the first verse is obviously explaining how good and perfect this girl is, so good that she's never heart broken...which angers whoever 'he' is, but when he sees her he realises theres no place for his rage (the doors open and he sees what he sees).
The second verse is where 'he' fights with himself, the 'girl' or whoever 'you' may be is never heartbroken and therefore doesnt know right from wrong in the world of relationships and romance. she's blind and he doesnt know whether to smile or frown. Again he is angered.
Finally theres the conclusion/moral of the song: theres no middle ground ; you either have a burning hatred or burning love for someone and sometimes its one and the same thing.
but thats just me.
The good side of obsession and compulsion.
This Song of Peter appears to be describing a complex emotion that is difficult to define or categorize. The speaker refers to a "strange kind of love" and a "strange kind of feeling" that is experienced through the eyes, and suggests that it is a powerful sensation that opens up new possibilities and opportunities. The text contrasts this with negative emotions like terror, rage, and broken hearts, emphasizing the importance of truth and meaning in relationships. The lines "Blind to the gemstone alone / A smile from a frown circles round / Should he stay or should he go?" suggest that the speaker is wrestling with a difficult decision or situation, and that there may be no easy answers. Ultimately, the text seems to suggest that life is full of uncertainty and ambiguity, and that the only way to navigate it is with a willingness to take risks and embrace the unknown.
This is One of my favourite songs of all time, very special to me...
I love this song with a burnign passion. . .
This song is really cool, we need to know in what kind of land we live, the truth is all you can feel and not in the ancient believes. I like the last instrumental part of this song.
I was lucky enough, ten years ago, to capture a live rendition of this song on the radio. I don't know where was it performed, but it brings tears to my eyes. It's so powerful... much better than this studio version.
Probably my favorite P. Murphy tune. It is about the duality of a love-hate relationship with, really, anyone. What a beautifully haunting tune, eh? Although a keyboard sample adds a nice effect near the end of the song, try and find the "rare" recording of this. I have one that uses a flute instead. Outstanding.
I love to cover this song when I play open mics in my area (Chicago).
First of all: the great thing about music is... music means something different to eveyone.
For me- It's about the child inside of all us. He may be writing about a past lover whose inner child inside never grew into the 'adut that the child dreamed of...' or himself or Both?? And that child takes the line later in life to Love or to Hate.