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.
You're the one stepping on the back of my shoes
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
It's you and her and nobody else the lights are low and she's so ready
You're already on your way to the door
You're at the bar the tender gives you a free drink and winks, she's perfect
You sweat bullets, spill the drink and you leave
Everyone leaves the party except a gorgeous twenty something, you turn and run
You call me up
You're the one stepping on the back of my shoes
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
So the way you act, is it just an act or some strange courtship ritual
A habitual nervous reaction
Hey it's just me, set yourself free, why don't you let me know what's going on
Inside your cluttered head
You're the one stepping on the back of my shoes
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
What the hell are you talking about is that what you would say
If I were to wonder out loud would it make you turn away
Just a curious question
If it was you and me and nobody else would you want me to want to be ready to go
Would you want to take the lights down low
You're the one stepping on the back of my shoes
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
Hey it's just me, set yourself free, why don't you let me know what's going on
Hey it's just me, set yourself free
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
It's you and her and nobody else the lights are low and she's so ready
You're already on your way to the door
You're at the bar the tender gives you a free drink and winks, she's perfect
You sweat bullets, spill the drink and you leave
Everyone leaves the party except a gorgeous twenty something, you turn and run
You call me up
You're the one stepping on the back of my shoes
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
So the way you act, is it just an act or some strange courtship ritual
A habitual nervous reaction
Hey it's just me, set yourself free, why don't you let me know what's going on
Inside your cluttered head
You're the one stepping on the back of my shoes
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
What the hell are you talking about is that what you would say
If I were to wonder out loud would it make you turn away
Just a curious question
If it was you and me and nobody else would you want me to want to be ready to go
Would you want to take the lights down low
You're the one stepping on the back of my shoes
You're the one using me as a muse
You're the one with the jet pack strapped to your back ready to go
Hey it's just me, set yourself free, why don't you let me know what's going on
Hey it's just me, set yourself free
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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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Mountain Song
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
The song is, as people mentioned, about homosexuality. Only the subject isn't questioning it, he simply isn't revealing it. Max Collins, the writer, has stated that it's about a friend of his who was really popular with women, but always preferred his company instead, and the song was written just as a way to say how obvious it was to him that his friend is in love with him. (The title also apparently came first. "What inspires you?" "Transport backpacks.")