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're on your own my little nightmare, you cannot stay here
It's far too bright for you
If they attack you, just lay there
Play dead dear, it's your only hope of pulling through
And seconds, they seem like a lifetime
A dream, recurring, a dream that can't come true
And they'll pin it all on you
After all you've been put through
"Sadie G, she's crazy, see?"
That's what the white coats say
Now, Ms. Susan A, you're losing
Every opportunity to put us all away
You run along, my little nightmare
Your job is done here
You've scared them all to death
If they revive them, just sit there
Just smile dear, make them thankful for every breath
The sentence may seem like a lifetime
A scream, that's curdling the blood they found on you
And your knives and clothing too
Charlie's broken .22
"Sadie G, she's crazy, see?"
That's what the white coats say
Now, Ms. Susan A, you're losing
Every opportunity
Well, they found you and they shipped you up the river
The same way that you've bound and gagged
You've shot and stabbed
You tried to set 'em free, but they've thrown away the keys
"He represented a God to me, that was so beautiful
That I'd do anything for him
I'd do anything for God
Even murder, if I believed it was right, how could it not be right
If it was done with love?
I have no remorse for doing what was right to me, I have no guilt in me"
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
It's far too bright for you
If they attack you, just lay there
Play dead dear, it's your only hope of pulling through
And seconds, they seem like a lifetime
A dream, recurring, a dream that can't come true
And they'll pin it all on you
After all you've been put through
"Sadie G, she's crazy, see?"
That's what the white coats say
Now, Ms. Susan A, you're losing
Every opportunity to put us all away
You run along, my little nightmare
Your job is done here
You've scared them all to death
If they revive them, just sit there
Just smile dear, make them thankful for every breath
The sentence may seem like a lifetime
A scream, that's curdling the blood they found on you
And your knives and clothing too
Charlie's broken .22
"Sadie G, she's crazy, see?"
That's what the white coats say
Now, Ms. Susan A, you're losing
Every opportunity
Well, they found you and they shipped you up the river
The same way that you've bound and gagged
You've shot and stabbed
You tried to set 'em free, but they've thrown away the keys
"He represented a God to me, that was so beautiful
That I'd do anything for him
I'd do anything for God
Even murder, if I believed it was right, how could it not be right
If it was done with love?
I have no remorse for doing what was right to me, I have no guilt in me"
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
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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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My favorite on the split too :D