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 remember
Ooh, how the darkness doubled
I recall
Lightning struck itself
I was listening
Listening to the rain
I was hearing
Hearing something else
Life in the hive puckered up my nights
A kiss of death, the embrace of life
Ooh, there I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon
Just waiting
I spoke to a man down at the tracks
And I ask him
How he don't go mad
He said, "Look here, junior, don't you be so happy
And for heaven's sake, don't you be so sad"
Life in the hive puckered up my night
The kiss of death, the embrace of life
Ooh, there I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon
Hesitating
Well, the Cadillac
It pulled out of the graveyard
Pulled up to me
All they said, "Get in, get in"
Then the Cadillac
It puttered back into the graveyard
Me, I got out again
Life in the hive puckered up my night
A kiss of death, the embrace of life
Over there I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon
But I ain't waiting, uh-uh
I remember
How the darkness doubled
I recall
Lightning struck itself
I was listening
Listening to the rain
I was hearing
Hearing something else
Ooh, how the darkness doubled
I recall
Lightning struck itself
I was listening
Listening to the rain
I was hearing
Hearing something else
Life in the hive puckered up my nights
A kiss of death, the embrace of life
Ooh, there I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon
Just waiting
I spoke to a man down at the tracks
And I ask him
How he don't go mad
He said, "Look here, junior, don't you be so happy
And for heaven's sake, don't you be so sad"
Life in the hive puckered up my night
The kiss of death, the embrace of life
Ooh, there I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon
Hesitating
Well, the Cadillac
It pulled out of the graveyard
Pulled up to me
All they said, "Get in, get in"
Then the Cadillac
It puttered back into the graveyard
Me, I got out again
Life in the hive puckered up my night
A kiss of death, the embrace of life
Over there I stand 'neath the Marquee Moon
But I ain't waiting, uh-uh
I remember
How the darkness doubled
I recall
Lightning struck itself
I was listening
Listening to the rain
I was hearing
Hearing something else
Lyrics submitted by tubesocks, edited by yugedralya
Marquee Moon Lyrics as written by Tom Verlaine
Lyrics © Rocking Gorillas Music Ltda
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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Classic Epic! Put the Album up there with Pink Floyd. This is where the Strokes got that fabulous rhythm! That enduring interlude is Top Notch stuff! The Cadillac verse is so bloody cool, yet very haunting. It seems like a very life-affirming song. "Lightning struck itself" - what a lyric! I can't get over the rhythm - guitar, then bass going on the off-chord, then Fricca's astonishing drums, and, of course, that great guitar lick - dadadadada! This is Television's defining moment!