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.
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Gotta get a little
Gotta get a little
All the world has gone to bed
And I am drowning in it's silence
But a solitude is in my head, from you, maybe
And if the silence was a song
Well, its rhythm grooves and it's a private radio
And on this night I did belong
In harmony
And you can't deny me
And you will oblige me
It's my melody
When the night comes
When no one knows
I can feel it
I've got my private radio
I'm finally out of my pillow
'Cause I'm lyin' here, but I am ready good to go
If I don't win I'll leave this town
Or not, I'll stay and chase the sun now
And you can't deny me
And you will oblige me
It's my melody
When the night comes
And no one knows
I can feel it
I've got my private radio
Catch me, not care
Call me later
Morning's risin'
All the world has gone to bed
And there's a sound inside my head
And in the dark inside my bed
And the melody inside my head
(When the night comes)
There's a part of me no one will never know
(And no one knows)
And midnight comes and I know I'm on my own
(I can feel it)
There's a part of me no one will ever see
(I've got my private radio)
There's a part of me no one will ever leave be
(My private radio)
My private radio
My private radio
Oh oh oh
Gotta get a little
Gotta get a little
All the world has gone to bed
And I am drowning in it's silence
But a solitude is in my head, from you, maybe
And if the silence was a song
Well, its rhythm grooves and it's a private radio
And on this night I did belong
In harmony
And you can't deny me
And you will oblige me
It's my melody
When the night comes
When no one knows
I can feel it
I've got my private radio
I'm finally out of my pillow
'Cause I'm lyin' here, but I am ready good to go
If I don't win I'll leave this town
Or not, I'll stay and chase the sun now
And you can't deny me
And you will oblige me
It's my melody
When the night comes
And no one knows
I can feel it
I've got my private radio
Catch me, not care
Call me later
Morning's risin'
All the world has gone to bed
And there's a sound inside my head
And in the dark inside my bed
And the melody inside my head
(When the night comes)
There's a part of me no one will never know
(And no one knows)
And midnight comes and I know I'm on my own
(I can feel it)
There's a part of me no one will ever see
(I've got my private radio)
There's a part of me no one will ever leave be
(My private radio)
My private radio
My private radio
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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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Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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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,
this was my favorite on the album. i like the tone of it.