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.
After one or two I get used to the room
We go slow when we first make our moves
By five or six I'll bring you out to the car
By number nine with my head on the bar
And it's sad but true out of cash and i-o-u's
I got desperate desires, and unadmirable plans
My tongue will taste of gin and malicious intent
Bring you back to the bar get you out of the cold
My sober straight face gets you out of your clothes.
And they're scared that we know all the crimes they'll commit
Who they'll kiss before they get home.
I will lie awaken and lie for fun
And fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say.
Barely conscious in the door where you stand.
Your eyes are fighting sleep while your mouth makes your demands
You laugh at every word trying too hard to be cute
I almost feel sorry for what I'm gonna do
And your hair smells of smoke
Who will cast the first stone?
You can sin or spend the night all alone
Brass buttons on your coat hold the cold
In the shape of a heart that they cut out of stone
And you're using all your looks that you've thrown from the start
If you let me have my way I swear I'll tear you apart.
Cause its all you can be
You're a drunk
And you're scared
Its ladies night all the girls drink for free.
I will lie awake and lie for fun
And fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say.
I will lie awake and lie for fun
And fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say.
We go slow when we first make our moves
By five or six I'll bring you out to the car
By number nine with my head on the bar
And it's sad but true out of cash and i-o-u's
I got desperate desires, and unadmirable plans
My tongue will taste of gin and malicious intent
Bring you back to the bar get you out of the cold
My sober straight face gets you out of your clothes.
And they're scared that we know all the crimes they'll commit
Who they'll kiss before they get home.
I will lie awaken and lie for fun
And fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say.
Barely conscious in the door where you stand.
Your eyes are fighting sleep while your mouth makes your demands
You laugh at every word trying too hard to be cute
I almost feel sorry for what I'm gonna do
And your hair smells of smoke
Who will cast the first stone?
You can sin or spend the night all alone
Brass buttons on your coat hold the cold
In the shape of a heart that they cut out of stone
And you're using all your looks that you've thrown from the start
If you let me have my way I swear I'll tear you apart.
Cause its all you can be
You're a drunk
And you're scared
Its ladies night all the girls drink for free.
I will lie awake and lie for fun
And fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say.
I will lie awake and lie for fun
And fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say.
Lyrics submitted by BrandNew1208
Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis Lyrics as written by Vincent Accardi Jesse Lacey
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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its almost painful how beautiful and soft this song is.
If im not mistaken Maradona was a great soccer player who ruined his career and his life with alcohol and same with Elvis.
I think most of these are pretty close, but I sense a little twist that I dont see here.
First off, it is obvious that "fall for every empty word I say" sets the tone of the song, up til the ending chorus. He is whispering sweet nothings to us as if he were smooth talking his victim. We get his softest, melodic voice and it puts us in a trance and thinking this is such a great guy, without us ever really paying attention to what is going on. You could listen to this song a half dozen times and come away thinking "that Jesse is such a nice guy". Then after about the 10th listen, you actually pay attention, and realize this guy is a complete jerk (too late!)... not unlike the bar scene.
So rather than sing to us his sweet nothings, he replaces it with his real thoughts and "justifications". I think the "justifications" part is where I differ from most others here. I dont know that we are getting a real perspective on the woman, but possibly we are getting his justification of doing this to her, since we are inside his head at this point.
The title "Me vs Maradona vs Elvis".. disagree with those saying its him claiming to be as big as them. He is just choosing recognizable figures to compare to. Both were abusers that gave into their addictions (sex, drugs, & alcohol). I dont think the fame part is necessarily relevant, unless your perspective is that he sees himself as the industry's victim (I could see that way as well).
"With one or two I get used to the room". That is easy. Anyone that doesnt feel comfortable with the scene or is burdened by guilt or self-image needs to get their buzz going first (I can relate to that one and this scene, having "played" it many times). Takes the edge off and removes conscience from the picture.
"We go slow when we first make our moves". Set the trap; dont want to come across as a jerk or floozy.
"Out of cash and IOUs". I still havent seen a take on this that makes complete sense. But if you take the Elvis and Maradona examples, these guys crashed hard and maybe the guy here has used up his credibility and money and is now this pathetic creature, no doubt adding to his desperate feelings.
"I got desperate desires and unadmirable plans". He knows that he is just looking to score (feed that addiction temporarily).
"A sober straight face gets you out of your clothes And they're scared, that we know All the crimes they'll commit Who they'll kiss before they get home" OK, this is where the music industry could be a nice fit as well. The sober straight face could be that he knew what he was getting into (its not beer goggles), and it could also be the "real" face of the music industry. Suddenly we are talking about the crimes "they" commit (as opposed to "you" in the previous line), which would fit the industry better. In the context of hooking up, it could be the girls not wanting to appear as sluts and it could be the guys taking advantage of them.
"I almost feel sorry for what I'm gonna do". I'm surprised that people think this represents a guilty conscience. I think its the opposite. He knows this is going to end badly before he begins. It is all about coldness and cunning from here. Anyone who follows the rest of the song would have sympathy for the broken girl, but he says he "almost" does (aka, he doesnt). He has no remorse, but feels just a bit uneasy about that, because others would.
"And your hair smells of smoke Who will cast the first stone? You can sin or spend the night all alone" There are no angels here. You went out looking for trouble and you got it. He's justifying his actions. You think any of these other barflies will call him out either? He knows your options are to cling to rescue for one night from loneliness or to wallow in it. He is aware of your pathetic options and is preying on it.
"Brass buttons on your coat hold the cold In the shape of a heart that they cut out of stone"
"You're using all your looks that you've thrown from the start If you let me have my way I swear I'll tear you apart"
"'cause it's all you can be, you're a drunk, and you're scared It's ladies night, all the girls drink for free"
"I will lie awake And lie for fun and fake the way I hold you Let you fall for every empty word I say"
I don't see this song as being about rape, just about being a smooth talker and getting a girl into bed.
The person within the song doesn't necessarily like what he's doing, but has it all worked out: facial expressions, knowing that it's ladies' night and suggesting that by "getting her back to the bar" is just to "get her out of the cold".
He knows exactly what he's doing, but feels bad about it anyways.
I think the line that bothers me most is "Barely conscious in the door where you stand." This girl is not tipsy, or even crunked. She is about to pass out. When a girl is that intoxicated, it is really hard to argue that he gained consent. In fact, in several states, it would be considered rape if the guy were sober.
"number nine with my head on the bar" he too is that intoxicated. the situation's on both of them.
You are right when you said that both Elvis and Maradona had talents but led horrible lives due to what they did. In an interview Jesse said that he was scared of turning into someone like Maradona or Elvis and ruining his music career. I think this song is about Jesse's fear of that happening.
Could also be sayin that he metaphorically takes advantage and he hates himself for it, but its to do with his music career and how he got there and something hes not proud of, and wether or not its worse than what elvis and madonna did which is why its vs. ... possibly :P
in my opinion, its not about date rape or taking advantage of a girl It's about meaningless sex its like, people associate sex with love, but thats not the case here. like its been said, the girl in this song is drunk but she knows what shes doing the lines "i will lie awake, lie for fun and fake the way i hold you, let you fall for every empty word i say" kind of hint that she thinks it means more than it does, and hes lying to her so i dont think its that hes taking advantage of a drunk girl, its that hes taking advantage of the idea of love. something like that
My favorite line:
You can sin or spend the night all alone
It really pinpoints the reason that this kind of thing happens, no one wants to be alone. It's a pretty clear message... he's taking advantage of this girl; he feels guilty for it, but not enough to not do it.
This song is clearly about a guy taking advantage of a drunk girl. There's no hidden meaning.
Jesse Lacey is my favourite ever song writer <3
this song makes me cry. i know what the song is supposed to mean, but there are some songs that you just twist the meaning of the lyrics so that they fit your situation better. this is one of those.