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.
As madmen, some hung head down
From a long dead tree
Some discuss, all at once
For no one to hear
Variations on emptiness
Great themes on vain glory
And as some go feral in strange performances
Dressing customs that are metaphors
Of your disease
Hungry eyes are looking for Me
Mephisto
Laughing, I feed you
With meaningless games, tricks and philosophies
Whose answers you would die for
In your hunger to believe
How it does amuse Me
And makes Me wonder
For how long that it was Mine
Because now it does really inflame Me
As if ignorance was my secret desire
Mephisto
I am an angel who dresses in red
Riding above you, etching fire rings
I have learned to fly
Don't you remember?
While you still have not come down
From your long-dead tree
I can teach you wonders if you give me your soul
Marvels and wild dreams can be yours
I can teach you how iron turns to gold
And how life can grow so old
But I am a demon who dresses in red
And I do not hope you will understand
Mephisto
From a long dead tree
Some discuss, all at once
For no one to hear
Variations on emptiness
Great themes on vain glory
And as some go feral in strange performances
Dressing customs that are metaphors
Of your disease
Hungry eyes are looking for Me
Mephisto
Laughing, I feed you
With meaningless games, tricks and philosophies
Whose answers you would die for
In your hunger to believe
How it does amuse Me
And makes Me wonder
For how long that it was Mine
Because now it does really inflame Me
As if ignorance was my secret desire
Mephisto
I am an angel who dresses in red
Riding above you, etching fire rings
I have learned to fly
Don't you remember?
While you still have not come down
From your long-dead tree
I can teach you wonders if you give me your soul
Marvels and wild dreams can be yours
I can teach you how iron turns to gold
And how life can grow so old
But I am a demon who dresses in red
And I do not hope you will understand
Mephisto
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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.
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Is it that hard? The Fausto story.