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.
This man he was a Mexican
Oh yeah
Adopted into Norwegian
Oh yeah
Turned into American
Oh yeah
But he felt a Mexican
Oh yeah
He was a walking fish
Oh yeah
Down Mexico way
He had to learn Spanish
Oh yeah
He was a walking fish
Oh yeah
He was feeling so brackish
Between Norwegian and English
He decided it was time to go
To find the people that he did not know
But the road to Mexico
Oh yeah
They sure go fast but they should go slow
Oh yeah
Its a dangerous road
By now you know that he was fucked
By now you know he had no luck
He was smashed head on by a giant truck
Down Mexico way
Oh yeah
Adopted into Norwegian
Oh yeah
Turned into American
Oh yeah
But he felt a Mexican
Oh yeah
He was a walking fish
Oh yeah
Down Mexico way
He had to learn Spanish
Oh yeah
He was a walking fish
Oh yeah
He was feeling so brackish
Between Norwegian and English
He decided it was time to go
To find the people that he did not know
But the road to Mexico
Oh yeah
They sure go fast but they should go slow
Oh yeah
Its a dangerous road
By now you know that he was fucked
By now you know he had no luck
He was smashed head on by a giant truck
Down Mexico way
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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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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,
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
It's pretty straight forward, a young Mexican man was adopted by Norwegian family, but wanted to go back to Mexico to discover his roots, and met a bad end. Down Mexico wayyyyyyyyy...
I think the "walking fish" image refers to a fish out of water: a living being out of his element... that's a Mexican out of Mexico.
At frankblack.net there's a liner note from him that states this song is based on a true story. Sad.
A walking fish is a fish out of water. The guy was a fish out of water cos he was adopted into a family that wasn't his culture. Cos he didn't fit in he decided to leave and go back to Mexico but, ironically, he was smashed on the way.
Dat's what I fink
A sad and true story.... I think it's one of Frank's more self-explanatory songs. Simple, elgant and heartfelt.
I'm actually not sure what the song is about, but I've always loved the line "By now you know that he was fucked." Made me laugh the first time I heard it.
you think walking fish could refer to the babel fish? mexican spanish, norwegian and english? i don't know.