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'll be your water
Bathing you clean
With liquid peace
I'll be your reefer
You'll breathe me in
You won't release
Well I've seen you suffer
I've seen you cry
The whole night through
So I'll be your water
Bathing you clean
With liquid blue
[Repeat: x2]
I'll be your father
I'll be your mother
I'll be your lover
I'll be yours
I'll be your liquor
Bathing your soul in juice that's pure
I'll be your anchor
You'll never leave these shores that cure
I've seen you suffer
I've seen you cry
For days and days
So I'll be your liquor
Demons will drown and float away
[Repeat: x4]
I'll be your father
I'll be your mother
I'll be your lover
I'll be yours
Yours
Bathing you clean
With liquid peace
I'll be your reefer
You'll breathe me in
You won't release
Well I've seen you suffer
I've seen you cry
The whole night through
So I'll be your water
Bathing you clean
With liquid blue
[Repeat: x2]
I'll be your father
I'll be your mother
I'll be your lover
I'll be yours
I'll be your liquor
Bathing your soul in juice that's pure
I'll be your anchor
You'll never leave these shores that cure
I've seen you suffer
I've seen you cry
For days and days
So I'll be your liquor
Demons will drown and float away
[Repeat: x4]
I'll be your father
I'll be your mother
I'll be your lover
I'll be yours
Yours
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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At first this song reminded me love. I knew a person who was everything to me and I wanted to be everything to him. But now (when I finally understood the truth about this person) I feel that this song is about depression and sadness.
It\'s everything to me. My depression is like a human being. \"Well I\'ve seen you suffer, I\'ve seen you cry the whole night through.\" He has seen me cry the whole night through... And I enjoy my pain. \"And I\'ll be your anchor you\'ll never leave.\" i know that this depression will never leave me. I know this sounds totally weird so please, don\'t give any stupid feedback like \"It\'s not about depression! It\'s about Love!\" I know it\'s about love...