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.
Baby all the lights are turned on you
Now you're in the center of the stage
Everything revolves on what you do
Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age
And you can always have your way somehow
But everybody loves you now
You can walk away from your mistakes
You can turn your back on what you do
Just a little smile is all it takes
Yeah, you can have your cake and eat it too
Loneliness will get to you somehow
But everybody loves you now
Ah, they all want your white body
And they await your reply
Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry
So do I
All the people want to know your name
Soon there will be lines outside your door
Feelings do not matter in your game
Yeah, 'cause nothing's gonna touch you anymore
So your life is only living anyhow
And everybody loves you now
Close your eyes when you don't want to see
Stay at home when you don't want to go
Only speak to those who will agree
Yeah, and close your mind when you don't want to know
You have lost you innocence somehow
But everybody loves you now
Ah, you know that nothing lasts forever
And it's all been done before
Ah, but you ain't got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor
No more
See how all the people gather 'round
Hey, isn't it a thrill to see them crawl?
Keep your eyes ahead and don't look down
Yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall
This is what you wanted; ain't you proud?
Cause everybody loves you now
Now you're in the center of the stage
Everything revolves on what you do
Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age
And you can always have your way somehow
But everybody loves you now
You can walk away from your mistakes
You can turn your back on what you do
Just a little smile is all it takes
Yeah, you can have your cake and eat it too
Loneliness will get to you somehow
But everybody loves you now
Ah, they all want your white body
And they await your reply
Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry
So do I
All the people want to know your name
Soon there will be lines outside your door
Feelings do not matter in your game
Yeah, 'cause nothing's gonna touch you anymore
So your life is only living anyhow
And everybody loves you now
Close your eyes when you don't want to see
Stay at home when you don't want to go
Only speak to those who will agree
Yeah, and close your mind when you don't want to know
You have lost you innocence somehow
But everybody loves you now
Ah, you know that nothing lasts forever
And it's all been done before
Ah, but you ain't got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor
No more
See how all the people gather 'round
Hey, isn't it a thrill to see them crawl?
Keep your eyes ahead and don't look down
Yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall
This is what you wanted; ain't you proud?
Cause everybody loves you now
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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"'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."
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Kinda reminds me of Daisy from the Great Gatsby; the golden princess who leaves others to clean up after her mess. She's so beautiful, but deep inside she's a bad person.
About a person how finally reaches their stardom and sarcastically points out that the everybody loves you now.
This song is about even though everybody praises, you nobody really understands or cares about you.
aren't we a just a tiny bit bitter? LOL! What awesome commentary. Billy is great!
i love how real billy joels music is. ive grown up in this area and all of the specific references he makes continue to make me smile. he is continually reminding us that he is a real person and he knows how to make listeners relate.
If thought of in the context of suicide... Then the lyrics all makes sense. I understand thay Billy Joel struggeled with suicide a couple of times... Thank God he is still with us!
At a funeral you take over the agenda "everthing revolves on what you do" the lights are turned on you and the lines form outside the door. Your white body ... Well without explaining anything further... If you compare the lyrics to suicide... Then everything rings together..
Suicide is a difficult topic to broach.. Billy Joel does it masterfully by keeping it subliminal. Blatant lyrics would offend some... Even bringing up the topic can repel many... Yet suicide touches I think all of us especially as we get older...I think we all know someone.,,, So it is an important topic. Suicide is of corse evil but discussing it is important..