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 know I never meant to see you again
But I only passed by as a friend, yeah
All this time I stayed out of sight
I started wondering why
Now I, ooh, now I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
You said you didn't need me in your life
Oh, I guess you were right, yeah
Ooh, I never meant to cause you no pain
But it looks like I did it again, yeah
Now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, girl, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
Though your hurt is gone
Mines hanging on inside
And I know, it's eating me through
It's eating me through every night and day
I'm just waiting on your sign
'Cause I know, I know I never meant to cause you no pain
And I realize I let you down, oh yeah
But I know in my heart of hearts
I know I'm never gonna hold you again, no, no
And now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Oh, you know I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, rain down on me
Yes, you know I wish it would rain down, rain down over me
Just rain down over me
Just let it rain down, let it rain down
Let it rain down, oh yeah
Let it rain down, rain down over me
Just let it rain down, just let it rain down
Let it rain down
Just let it rain
But I only passed by as a friend, yeah
All this time I stayed out of sight
I started wondering why
Now I, ooh, now I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
You said you didn't need me in your life
Oh, I guess you were right, yeah
Ooh, I never meant to cause you no pain
But it looks like I did it again, yeah
Now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, girl, I wish it would rain down, down on me
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain on me
Though your hurt is gone
Mines hanging on inside
And I know, it's eating me through
It's eating me through every night and day
I'm just waiting on your sign
'Cause I know, I know I never meant to cause you no pain
And I realize I let you down, oh yeah
But I know in my heart of hearts
I know I'm never gonna hold you again, no, no
And now I, now I know I wish it would rain down, down on me
Oh, you know I wish it would rain, rain down on me now
Ooh, yes, I wish it would rain down, rain down on me
Yes, you know I wish it would rain down, rain down over me
Just rain down over me
Just let it rain down, let it rain down
Let it rain down, oh yeah
Let it rain down, rain down over me
Just let it rain down, just let it rain down
Let it rain down
Just let it rain
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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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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,
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Well then i have to be the only 19 yr old thats brave enough to admit phil collins is a genius, i grew up with his music, this is my fave song. I see this song as a break up song, when your feeling like everything could just come crashing down, sometimes u just wish it would so you can come out of it stronger.