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 can't be held responsible for blown behavior
I can't be held responsible for blown behavior
I lost all contact with my only savior
I lost all contact with my only savior
No one locked me out because I failed to phone up
No one locked me out because I failed to phone up
I can't bear to live forever like a loner
I can't bear to live forever like a loner
Don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat
It's easy to be sad when you lack a partner
It's easy to be sad when you lack a partner
But how would I react to a broken heart now?
But how would I react to a broken heart now?
It ain't really true rock and roll unless I'm
It ain't really true rock and roll unless I'm
Hanging onto you, and when I hold it next time
Hanging onto you, and when I hold it next time
I won't let go the coat
I won't let go the coat
I try to explain, but you never understand it
I try to explain, but you never understand it
I need your body, but I can't just demand it
I need your body, but I can't just demand it
I won't let go like a stray at heel
I won't let go like a stray at heel
(Never let it out of your sight)
(Never let it out of your sight)
Every lonely wife knows the way I feel
Every lonely wife knows the way I feel
(Don't let go tonight)
(Don't let go tonight)
Don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat
Never let go the coat
Never let go the coat
Your friends all pass for life is just a market
Your friends all pass for life is just a market
But you have to finish everything you started
But you have to finish everything you started
So I live my life tearing down the runway
So I live my life tearing down the runway
Sure to get the hang of hanging in there someday
Sure to get the hang of hanging in there someday
Don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat
Won't get no more chances; forget the war dances
Won't get no more chances; forget the war dances
Go blind and hang on; don't try the slang, son
Go blind and hang on; don't try the slang, son
Never let go the coat
Never let go the coat
I can't be held responsible for blown behavior
I lost all contact with my only savior
I lost all contact with my only savior
No one locked me out because I failed to phone up
No one locked me out because I failed to phone up
I can't bear to live forever like a loner
I can't bear to live forever like a loner
Don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat
It's easy to be sad when you lack a partner
It's easy to be sad when you lack a partner
But how would I react to a broken heart now?
But how would I react to a broken heart now?
It ain't really true rock and roll unless I'm
It ain't really true rock and roll unless I'm
Hanging onto you, and when I hold it next time
Hanging onto you, and when I hold it next time
I won't let go the coat
I won't let go the coat
I try to explain, but you never understand it
I try to explain, but you never understand it
I need your body, but I can't just demand it
I need your body, but I can't just demand it
I won't let go like a stray at heel
I won't let go like a stray at heel
(Never let it out of your sight)
(Never let it out of your sight)
Every lonely wife knows the way I feel
Every lonely wife knows the way I feel
(Don't let go tonight)
(Don't let go tonight)
Don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat
Never let go the coat
Never let go the coat
Your friends all pass for life is just a market
Your friends all pass for life is just a market
But you have to finish everything you started
But you have to finish everything you started
So I live my life tearing down the runway
So I live my life tearing down the runway
Sure to get the hang of hanging in there someday
Sure to get the hang of hanging in there someday
Don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat
Won't get no more chances; forget the war dances
Won't get no more chances; forget the war dances
Go blind and hang on; don't try the slang, son
Go blind and hang on; don't try the slang, son
Never let go the coat
Never let go the coat
Lyrics submitted by Chris_Gough, edited by CliffLandin
Don't Let Go the Coat Lyrics as written by Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I heard Townshend wrote this about his Guru, Meher Baba. As a devotee of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, I completely relate to the lyrics of this song. When things get tough, I hang onto the coat of my Guru too.
this song is one of my favorite by The Who. I think most people don't realize they were still writing great songs such as this into the early 1980s.
@Richie45069 This song was actually released as a single, but it didnt do all that well. In truth, the music is not bad, but the lyrics are a different story. They are all over the place, and even contradictory. "It's easy to be sad when you lack a partner / but how would I react to a broken heart now" seems to be sung from the perspective of a lonely person who has mixed feelings about that state, but the lyrics 'I try to explain, but you never understand it / I want your body, but I cant just demand it" are more the property of someone actually in a relationship. Since Pete was married in 1981, the latter would make more sense. And 'just go blind and hang on' is one of the more perplexing lyrics Pete ever wrote.
but it doesn't need to be a Guru, could be anything that keeps you grounded and sane.
There is a story in the bible about a woman holding on to the hem of Jesus's robe, this song always reminds me of that.
They say it's about the death of Keith Moon.
I'm not sure why the lyrics are double up here, but they are. Strangely, the chorus is not. There should be 4 repetitions of Don't let go the coat and the rest should just be single.