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.
Well they're building a gallows outside my cell
And I've got 25 minutes to go
And the whole town's waitin' just to hear me yell
I got 24 minutes to go
Well they gave me some beans for my last meal
With 23 minutes to go
But nobody asked me how I feel
I got 22 minutes to go
Well I sent for the governor and the whole dern bunch
With 21 minutes to go
And I sent for the mayor but he's out to lunch
I've got 20 more minutes to go
Then the sheriff said boy I gonna watch you die
With 19 minutes to go
So I laughed in his face and I spit in his eye
With 18 minutes to go
Now hear comes the preacher for to save my soul
With 13 minutes to go
And he's talking bout' burnin' but I'm so cold
12 more minutes to go
Well they're testin' the trap and it chills my spine
11 more minutes to go
And the trap and the rope aw they work just fine
10 more minutes to go
Well I'm waitin' for the pardon that'll set me free
With 9 more minutes to go
But this ain't the movies so forget about me
8 more minutes to go
With my feet on the trap and my head on the noose
5 more minutes to go
Won't somebody come and cut me loose
7 more minutes to go
I can see the mountains I can see the skies
With 3 more minutes to go
And it's to dern pretty for a man that don't want to die
2 more minutes to go
I can see the buzzards I can hear the crows
1 more minute to go
And now I'm swingin' and here I go!
Thank you very much. I'm going to do another song here,
Featuring the harmonica, eh
And then I want to get the stool there and sit down and do some, uh
Slow ballad type songs that we wanted to do for this album
And especially for you.
What I do with my list over there. My idiot sheet
Oh, hit the floor.
How ya doing Shirley?
And I've got 25 minutes to go
And the whole town's waitin' just to hear me yell
I got 24 minutes to go
Well they gave me some beans for my last meal
With 23 minutes to go
But nobody asked me how I feel
I got 22 minutes to go
Well I sent for the governor and the whole dern bunch
With 21 minutes to go
And I sent for the mayor but he's out to lunch
I've got 20 more minutes to go
Then the sheriff said boy I gonna watch you die
With 19 minutes to go
So I laughed in his face and I spit in his eye
With 18 minutes to go
Now hear comes the preacher for to save my soul
With 13 minutes to go
And he's talking bout' burnin' but I'm so cold
12 more minutes to go
Well they're testin' the trap and it chills my spine
11 more minutes to go
And the trap and the rope aw they work just fine
10 more minutes to go
Well I'm waitin' for the pardon that'll set me free
With 9 more minutes to go
But this ain't the movies so forget about me
8 more minutes to go
With my feet on the trap and my head on the noose
5 more minutes to go
Won't somebody come and cut me loose
7 more minutes to go
I can see the mountains I can see the skies
With 3 more minutes to go
And it's to dern pretty for a man that don't want to die
2 more minutes to go
I can see the buzzards I can hear the crows
1 more minute to go
And now I'm swingin' and here I go!
Thank you very much. I'm going to do another song here,
Featuring the harmonica, eh
And then I want to get the stool there and sit down and do some, uh
Slow ballad type songs that we wanted to do for this album
And especially for you.
What I do with my list over there. My idiot sheet
Oh, hit the floor.
How ya doing Shirley?
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
25 Minutes to Go Lyrics as written by Shel Silverstein
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, T.R.O. INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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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Great version of a great song,
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I know it will be someones dimise after that 25 mins, but I can;t help to think that this song is funny.