James Dean
Eagles (The) Lyrics
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James Dean, you said it all so clean
And I know my life would look alright
If I could see it on the silver screen
You were the low down rebel if there ever was
Even if you had no cause
James dean, you said it all so clean
If I could see it on the silver screen
We'll talk about a low-down bad refrigerator
You were just too cool for school
Sock hop, soda pop, basketball and auto shop
The only thing that got you off was breakin' all the rules
James Dean, James Dean, so hungry and so lean
James Dean, you said it all so clean
And I know my life would look alright
If I could see it on the silver screen
Little James Dean up on the screen
Wonderin' who he might be.
Along came a spyder, picked up a rider
Took him down the road to eternity
James Dean, James Dean, you bought it sight unseen
James Dean, James Dean, you bought it sight unseen
You were too fast to live, too young to die, bye bye
You were too fast to live, too young to die, bye bye
Bye bye too fast to live too young to die
Bye bye too fast to live too young to die
Bye bye too fast to live too young to die
Bye bye too fast to live too young to die
Too fast to live too young to die
Oo-oo-oo-oo too fast to live too young to die
Bye bye too fast to live too young to die
Oh, James Dean too fast to live too young to die
The Eagles' song "James Dean" is a tribute to the iconic American actor who became a cultural icon before his untimely death in a car crash at the age of 24. The song starts by acknowledging James Dean's rebellious spirit and how he was able to convey his message through his acting. The chorus repeats the phrase "James Dean, you said it all so clean" indicating the clarity of Dean's artistry. The lyrics express a desire to live a life as visually appealing as the ones portrayed by Dean in his movies. The song goes on to list aspects that were part of American youth culture when James Dean was alive, such as sock hop, soda pop, basketball, and auto shop.
The second verse describes James Dean himself as a rebel who refused to follow conventional societal norms. The song admires James Dean for being "too cool for school" and how he found pleasure in breaking rules. The chorus once again emphasizes the impact that James Dean had not only on American youth culture but also the writer's own life. The third verse of the song is a reference to Dean's most famous movie, "Rebel without a Cause," in which he plays the role of Jim Stark. The song mentions "Little James Dean" indicating the character's portrayal of Dean's youth, wondering who he might be in the movie. The verse ends with a reference to how Dean passed away in a car crash, making him "too fast to live, too young to die."
Overall, the song's lyrics represent how American youth of the time visualized their lives to be like the ones portrayed in movies, specifically James Dean's movies. It is a tribute to a cultural icon who continues to influence American pop culture to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
James Dean, James Dean, I know just what you mean
Acknowledging James Dean's legacy and how it resonates with the singer
James Dean, you said it all so clean
Praising James Dean for his effortless coolness
And I know my life would look alright
If I could see it on the silver screen
Fantasizing about living a glamorous life like James Dean's, as portrayed in movies
You were the low down rebel if there ever was
Even if you had no cause
James dean, you said it all so clean
Recognizing James Dean's reputation as a rebellious icon even if he didn't have a specific reason to rebel
We'll talk about a low-down bad refrigerator
You were just too cool for school
Sock hop, soda pop, basketball and auto shop
The only thing that got you off was breakin' all the rules
Listing various aspects of 1950s teen culture and praising James Dean for being above it, and enjoying rejecting social norms
James Dean, James Dean, so hungry and so lean
Describing James Dean's physical appearance, which the singer looks up to
Little James Dean up on the screen
Wonderin' who he might be.
Along came a spyder, picked up a rider
Took him down the road to eternity
Referencing the movie Rebel Without a Cause, and the car-related deaths of both James Dean and his character in the movie
James Dean, James Dean, you bought it sight unseen
Acknowledging James Dean's young death with admiration
You were too fast to live, too young to die, bye bye
Summarizing James Dean's legacy as someone who lived fast and died young
Too fast to live too young to die
Oo-oo-oo-oo too fast to live too young to die
Bye bye too fast to live too young to die
Oh, James Dean too fast to live too young to die
Repeating the central idea of James Dean's life and death with emphasis
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DON HENLEY, GLENN FREY, JACKSON BROWNE, JOHN DAVID SOUTHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind