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.
Do you remember the time I knew a girl from Mars?
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
And she never told me her name
I still love you, the girl from Mars
Sitting in a dreamy daze by the water's edge
On a cool summer night
Fireflies and the stars in the sky
Gentle glowing light
From your cigarette
The breeze blowing softly on my face
Reminds me of something else
Something that in my memory's been misplaced
Suddenly all comes back
And as I look to the stars
I remember the time I knew a girl from Mars
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
But she never told me her name
I still love you, the girl from Mars
Surging through the darkness over the moonlight strand
Electricity in the air
Twisting all through the night on the terrace
Now that summer's here
I know that you are almost in love with me
I can see it in your eyes
Strange light shimmering over the sea tonight
And it almost blows my mind
And as I look to the stars
I remember the time I knew a girl from Mars
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
But she never told me her name
I still love you, the girl from Mars
Today I sleep in the chair by the window
It felt as if you'd returned
I thought that you were standing over me
When I woke there was no one there
I still love you, girl from Mars
Do you remember the time I knew a girl from Mars?
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
But she never told me her name
Do you remember the time I knew a girl from Mars?
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
And I'll still dream of you
I still love you, the girl from Mars
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
And she never told me her name
I still love you, the girl from Mars
Sitting in a dreamy daze by the water's edge
On a cool summer night
Fireflies and the stars in the sky
Gentle glowing light
From your cigarette
The breeze blowing softly on my face
Reminds me of something else
Something that in my memory's been misplaced
Suddenly all comes back
And as I look to the stars
I remember the time I knew a girl from Mars
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
But she never told me her name
I still love you, the girl from Mars
Surging through the darkness over the moonlight strand
Electricity in the air
Twisting all through the night on the terrace
Now that summer's here
I know that you are almost in love with me
I can see it in your eyes
Strange light shimmering over the sea tonight
And it almost blows my mind
And as I look to the stars
I remember the time I knew a girl from Mars
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
But she never told me her name
I still love you, the girl from Mars
Today I sleep in the chair by the window
It felt as if you'd returned
I thought that you were standing over me
When I woke there was no one there
I still love you, girl from Mars
Do you remember the time I knew a girl from Mars?
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
But she never told me her name
Do you remember the time I knew a girl from Mars?
I don't know if you knew that
Oh, we'd stay up late playing cards
Henri Winterman cigars
And I'll still dream of you
I still love you, the girl from Mars
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
this is the first song that hooks me into Ash ^_^(the second is shining light) this song always reminds me about a girl I used to talk to(on the net) but never told me her real name