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.
down in Albion
they’re black and blue
but we don’t talk about that
are you from round here?
how do you do
I’d like to talk about that
talk over
gin in teacups and
leaves on the lawn
violence in bus stops
and pale thin girl with eyes forlorn
gin in teacups and
leaves on the lawn
violence in dole queue
and pale thin girl behind the checkout
but if you're looking for a cheap sort
glint with perspiration
there’s a four-mile queue outside the disused power station
now come away, wont you come away
we’ll go to Deptford, Digby, Tuebrook, anywhere
in Albion
yellowing classics and
canons at dawn
coffee wallows and pith helmets
and oh an English sun
but if you're looking for a cheap sort
that’s in false anticipation
it’ll be waiting in the photo booth at the railway station
ah come away, wont you come away
we’ll go to Watford, London fields, anywhere
but if you're looking for a cheap sort
that’s in false anticipation
it’ll be waiting in the photo booth at the underground station
ah come away, wont you come away
we’ll go to Watford, London fields, anywhere
they’re black and blue
but we don’t talk about that
are you from round here?
how do you do
I’d like to talk about that
talk over
gin in teacups and
leaves on the lawn
violence in bus stops
and pale thin girl with eyes forlorn
gin in teacups and
leaves on the lawn
violence in dole queue
and pale thin girl behind the checkout
but if you're looking for a cheap sort
glint with perspiration
there’s a four-mile queue outside the disused power station
now come away, wont you come away
we’ll go to Deptford, Digby, Tuebrook, anywhere
in Albion
yellowing classics and
canons at dawn
coffee wallows and pith helmets
and oh an English sun
but if you're looking for a cheap sort
that’s in false anticipation
it’ll be waiting in the photo booth at the railway station
ah come away, wont you come away
we’ll go to Watford, London fields, anywhere
but if you're looking for a cheap sort
that’s in false anticipation
it’ll be waiting in the photo booth at the underground station
ah come away, wont you come away
we’ll go to Watford, London fields, anywhere
Lyrics submitted by firefaerie420
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Lyrics are rather good.
Personally i prefer the demos of this song to what was recorded for babyshambles.
I hate when people call this a Babyshambles song
i love this!!!!!!!!!
this is such a effing brilliant fantastic wonderful song. i just love it yet its so sad - Albion was the ship that pete and carl were sailing on to Arcadia...
I love it on the album dvd when Pete starts saying all different places like shepards bush and basingstoke very nice meaningful song x.x.x
This was pete's first ever song, it was originally a poem.
To point out the obvious, Albion is an ancient name for Great Britain. S'pose it's a bit like an alternative national anthem.
i love this song as i love all libertines songs dearly lol an alternative national anthem hmm nicely put
albion is latin for england.pete had a room in his flat called thr albion rooms.you could do whatever you wanted in these rooms, there were no rules.
This song is about a book, where in which the protagonist lives a life of a solitary man, where he doesn't ever have to face the music, eg. no consequences for his actions, no people being nosy.
In effect, it is about the life Pete Doherty would love to live.