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.
Coyote goes to the top of the hill
Doin' the things that coyote's will
Staring at the sky, at the moon
You know he starts to howl
Coyote goes to the mountain top
Looks over down at the river, says "What a drop"
No tame dog is gonna take my bone
Coyote at the top of the hill
Doin' the things coyote's will
You gotta cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
Jackal goes to the top of the hill
Doin' the things that jackal's will
Staring at the moon
You know he starts to howl
Wild dog up on the mountain top
Blood in his jaws, the bone, he drops
No tame dog is ever
Ever gonna take my bone
Jackal up on the top of the hill
Doin' the things that jackal's will
Cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
Coyote on top of the hill
Ooohhh, doin' the things that coyote's will
Staring at the sky, looks at the moon
He starts to howl
Coyote up on the mountain top
Blood in his jaws, the bone, he drops
Says no tame dog is ever
Ever gonna take this bone
Coyote up on the mountain top
Says "What a drop"
You gotta cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
You gotta cast the first stone
Doin' the things that coyote's will
Staring at the sky, at the moon
You know he starts to howl
Coyote goes to the mountain top
Looks over down at the river, says "What a drop"
No tame dog is gonna take my bone
Coyote at the top of the hill
Doin' the things coyote's will
You gotta cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
Jackal goes to the top of the hill
Doin' the things that jackal's will
Staring at the moon
You know he starts to howl
Wild dog up on the mountain top
Blood in his jaws, the bone, he drops
No tame dog is ever
Ever gonna take my bone
Jackal up on the top of the hill
Doin' the things that jackal's will
Cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
Coyote on top of the hill
Ooohhh, doin' the things that coyote's will
Staring at the sky, looks at the moon
He starts to howl
Coyote up on the mountain top
Blood in his jaws, the bone, he drops
Says no tame dog is ever
Ever gonna take this bone
Coyote up on the mountain top
Says "What a drop"
You gotta cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
Cast the first stone
You gotta cast the first stone
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Light Up The Sky
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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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
One of the few poor Velvets songs. it was written during their reunion, shame really.