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.
When we got to Boston, we knew we'd missed a turn.
No one back in traffic school had told us there are signs that can't be learned.
Geography's too stubborn and people are too clear,
So let's go find a road-side motel with a clerk who won't tell.
Days will turn into nights, nights will turn into days, weeks,
Seasons, and years.
We'll stay for years.
Red and white for blood cells, red and white for wine.
They could be the whole damn spectrum if we'd all just let them.
Lord, it's such a crime
Working on an inch less waistband in the strip mall wasteland
Outside of this town,
Or clawing at the penthouse kitchen floor for just one smidgen more,
Everybody knows, everybody knows that it's in.
The fix is in.
Let's go back to Boston. Forget about the turn.
Atlases and gas station attendants are none of our concern.
We'll forge a little life dear (oh dear) and double down our debts,
And I guess it stands to reason that the passing seasons will
Slowly dull regrets.
Working on an inch less waistband in the strip mall wasteland
Outside of this town,
Or clawing at the penthouse kitchen floor for just one smidgen more,
Everybody knows, everybody knows that it's in.
The fix is in.
No one back in traffic school had told us there are signs that can't be learned.
Geography's too stubborn and people are too clear,
So let's go find a road-side motel with a clerk who won't tell.
Days will turn into nights, nights will turn into days, weeks,
Seasons, and years.
We'll stay for years.
Red and white for blood cells, red and white for wine.
They could be the whole damn spectrum if we'd all just let them.
Lord, it's such a crime
Working on an inch less waistband in the strip mall wasteland
Outside of this town,
Or clawing at the penthouse kitchen floor for just one smidgen more,
Everybody knows, everybody knows that it's in.
The fix is in.
Let's go back to Boston. Forget about the turn.
Atlases and gas station attendants are none of our concern.
We'll forge a little life dear (oh dear) and double down our debts,
And I guess it stands to reason that the passing seasons will
Slowly dull regrets.
Working on an inch less waistband in the strip mall wasteland
Outside of this town,
Or clawing at the penthouse kitchen floor for just one smidgen more,
Everybody knows, everybody knows that it's in.
The fix is in.
Lyrics submitted by qshapadooy
The Fix Is In Lyrics as written by Damian Kulash Andrew Duncan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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Great version of a great song,
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DRUGS: Adderall/Speed, Blow/Cocaine, or just any amphetamine whatsoever. Ya pretty much nailed the part about driving & the trip & being together (which was pretty obvious), so let's get the middle verse, shall we? So "workin' on an in less waistband in the stripmall wasteland" is obviously the fact that you don't eat or huner @ all while binging on amphetamines. "Clawing at the penthouse kitchen floor for just one smidgen more," could it be anymore obvious? "Everybody know that that the fix is in." Thus, they run off with their fix (back to Boston) to try and capture that dream. But like with all ups there are downs when you "double down your debts." Thus it "stands to reason that the passing seasons will slowly dull regrets," and they sink into depression of what they once had with their fix & inches less on their waistbands. Yay... now you're been enlightened. Ever seen Requiem For A Dream? Or better yet, read it?