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.
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (cereal, cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Cereal and milk (x12)
Milk and Cereal.............. Milk and Cereal
(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........)(x2)
I don't want my Wheaties, give ‘em to the needy
Feeelin' kinda greedy, I keep them for myself
I keep them for myself (x7)
No Grapenuts.........
For Grandma......... (Grandma eats a bran muffin)
Mom likes Special K.........
You can't pinch an inch
You can't pinch an inch (x5)
They're magically delicious............
Keep your hands off my Lucky Charms
(pink hearts, yellow moons, blue diamonds (blue diamonds), green clovers)
A is for Apple, J is for Jack
You step on a crack, and you'll break your Mama's back
Rice Krispies, Franken Berries
(Oooh, Boo Berries)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and stereo (stereo, stereo)
Milk and Cereal (cereal and milk) (x5)
Milk and Cheerio-eo-eo-eo……… (Cheerio-eo-eo-eo-eo-eo............(x4))
In the morning at the table (milk and cereal milk and cereal)
Snap, crackle, pop
Snap, crackle, pop (x6)
(Pop……….)
Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs
Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs (x7)
Trix are for kids
Trix are for kids (x10)
In the morning.......
At your table......
Milk and Cereal........ (x2)
Cereal And Milk......
Milk and Cereal.......
Cereal And Milk......
In the morning.......
At your table......
Milk and Cereal........ (x2)
Cereal And Milk......
Milk and Cereal.......
Cereal And Milk......
No Grapenuts..............
For Grandma (Grandma eat a bran muffin)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (cereal, cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Cereal and milk (x12)
Milk and Cereal.............. Milk and Cereal
(Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........)(x2)
I don't want my Wheaties, give ‘em to the needy
Feeelin' kinda greedy, I keep them for myself
I keep them for myself (x7)
No Grapenuts.........
For Grandma......... (Grandma eats a bran muffin)
Mom likes Special K.........
You can't pinch an inch
You can't pinch an inch (x5)
They're magically delicious............
Keep your hands off my Lucky Charms
(pink hearts, yellow moons, blue diamonds (blue diamonds), green clovers)
A is for Apple, J is for Jack
You step on a crack, and you'll break your Mama's back
Rice Krispies, Franken Berries
(Oooh, Boo Berries)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and cereal (milk and cereal)
Milk and cereal (cereal and milk)
Milk and stereo (stereo, stereo)
Milk and Cereal (cereal and milk) (x5)
Milk and Cheerio-eo-eo-eo……… (Cheerio-eo-eo-eo-eo-eo............(x4))
In the morning at the table (milk and cereal milk and cereal)
Snap, crackle, pop
Snap, crackle, pop (x6)
(Pop……….)
Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs
Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs (x7)
Trix are for kids
Trix are for kids (x10)
In the morning.......
At your table......
Milk and Cereal........ (x2)
Cereal And Milk......
Milk and Cereal.......
Cereal And Milk......
In the morning.......
At your table......
Milk and Cereal........ (x2)
Cereal And Milk......
Milk and Cereal.......
Cereal And Milk......
No Grapenuts..............
For Grandma (Grandma eat a bran muffin)
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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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I like this song because it appreciates the simple parts of life. It so hard to say anything else because it just puts it all out there, milk and cereal. It's life's joys and pains in a song.