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.
i woke up at four this morning, to whimper and to whine
to hear myself through spit and crackle of a poor long distance line
what clever ways to say i love you, words that always fail
hang up and light a cigarette, sit waiting for the mail
some flyers from department stores, another get rich plan
a bill or two, some shampoo, and a note from ed mcmahn
although you'll always be the one in who i will confide
sometimes you're the razor on my private water slide
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
now omnious, these undercurrents they crowd me now it seems
everytime i meet you in the darkness of my dremas
its likely that i'll turn around and parody myself
imagine we're in different places
pretend we're someone else
well, i can be j edgar hoover
you be JFK
as power hungry egocentrics we'll paperfight the nights away
sometimes you're my nemisis when i'm paranoid
sometimes i have doubts and worries too strong to avoid
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
maryland bridge tonight
to hear myself through spit and crackle of a poor long distance line
what clever ways to say i love you, words that always fail
hang up and light a cigarette, sit waiting for the mail
some flyers from department stores, another get rich plan
a bill or two, some shampoo, and a note from ed mcmahn
although you'll always be the one in who i will confide
sometimes you're the razor on my private water slide
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
now omnious, these undercurrents they crowd me now it seems
everytime i meet you in the darkness of my dremas
its likely that i'll turn around and parody myself
imagine we're in different places
pretend we're someone else
well, i can be j edgar hoover
you be JFK
as power hungry egocentrics we'll paperfight the nights away
sometimes you're my nemisis when i'm paranoid
sometimes i have doubts and worries too strong to avoid
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
maryland bridge tonight
Lyrics submitted by yraliar
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this is an amazing song, I love it! desperatly searching for John K's solo CD that this is on. If anyone knows how to get it, please post!
this is a great song, is it really about a bridge in maryland..?
oh. my. god. I am a HUGE weakerthans fan, yet I never heard this song until a few months ago. I've been obsessed with it ever since.
i think maryland bridge means he's talking about DC cause he's also talking about presidents and what not
The Maryland Bridge is one of the many bridges in Winnipeg, the hometown of the Weakerthans. They might just be talking about someone that they know in Winnipeg, the bridge is located in one of the real depressing, working-class parts of town.
please. please. if anyone knows how i can get samson's solo album email me: cdwyer415@gmail.com
If you still haven't found it emusic.com has the solo album.