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 is not a time for levity
Do you understand what happened to Machine Gun Kelly?
I'll tell you about Machine Gun Kelly
He rode along the outlaw trail
Machine Gun Kelly was a simple man
But the woman was as hard as hell
Watch out Machine Gun
Don't let her run you round
Don't let a woman put you six feet in the ground
Machine Gun (yes indeed)
I'll tell you about Katherine Kelly
Tired of being such small time, now
Figured they'd kidnap a rich man's son
Make it in the world of crime
Watch out Machine Gun
Don't let her run you round
Don't let a woman put you six feet in the ground
Machine Gun
You'd better watch out Machine Gun Kelly
Careful of what you do, now
If you keep listening to your old lady
Ain't no telling what'll happen to you, now
Machine Gun
The government boys they came for Machine Gun
Took the poor boy away
They stuck him in a hole in a Leavenworth prison
Where he lived until his dying day
Watch out Machine Gun
Don't let her put you down
Don't let the woman make you out to be a clown
Machine Gun
Watch out, Machine Gun
Do you understand what happened to Machine Gun Kelly?
I'll tell you about Machine Gun Kelly
He rode along the outlaw trail
Machine Gun Kelly was a simple man
But the woman was as hard as hell
Watch out Machine Gun
Don't let her run you round
Don't let a woman put you six feet in the ground
Machine Gun (yes indeed)
I'll tell you about Katherine Kelly
Tired of being such small time, now
Figured they'd kidnap a rich man's son
Make it in the world of crime
Watch out Machine Gun
Don't let her run you round
Don't let a woman put you six feet in the ground
Machine Gun
You'd better watch out Machine Gun Kelly
Careful of what you do, now
If you keep listening to your old lady
Ain't no telling what'll happen to you, now
Machine Gun
The government boys they came for Machine Gun
Took the poor boy away
They stuck him in a hole in a Leavenworth prison
Where he lived until his dying day
Watch out Machine Gun
Don't let her put you down
Don't let the woman make you out to be a clown
Machine Gun
Watch out, Machine Gun
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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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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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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@[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.
Dreamwalker
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Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Wow I'm surprised no one commented on this yet, it's one of my favourite JT songs, nice and simple arrangement and dead easy to play too. Apart from the obvious historical inspiration of George Kelly Barnes, I always thought that this was a kind of playful message to guys in general by James Taylor. You can tell there a certain fondness for Machine Gun Kelly's memory here, of a kind of swashbuckling bank robber of the old days when you could just walk into a bank with a tommy gun and literally shout "gimme all your money!" then leave a dust trail behind your Model T Ford with the sheriff in hot pursuit.
This paired with the fact that Kelly never actually killed anyone sets up an image of him as an average guy:
"Machine Gun Kelly was a simple man"
A simple man turned bank robber doing whatever he can to make his fortune in the world, something anyone can identify with, whether it happens to be actually be true or not. Taylor's portrayal of Katherine Kelly however, George's wife, is rather scathing:
"The woman was as hard as hell"
The description is really quite clear suggesting she is latched on to George and wants to direct him and control what he does and how he does it, basically keeping his balls in her purse. If you've seen Spinal Tap, think of David St Hubbins' girlfriend then you'll know what I'm referring to!
Without the slightest hint of misogyny, Taylor's continuous warning to Machine Gun Kelly forms a kind of cautionary tale to many guys I think, the lyrics:
"Watch out Machine Gun, dont let her run you round/put you down"
It's a call to all male ears to be your own man and to go with your instincts, and don't
"let a woman make you out to be a clown"
On a deeper level however, I think that this can be interpreted as a universal message to both men and women to be independent in life and not to allow yourself to be manipulated by other people for their own gain, with the very clear statement that every action you take has consequences:
"The government boys they came for Machine Gun and took the poor boy away They stuck him in a hole in Leavenworth prison where he lived until his dying day"
It's not so much that it's Katherine's fault that he got caught, with this lifestyle he was probably going to get caught sooner or later anyway, but I think Taylor is saying 'if you're going to go down, do it on your own terms, not those of someone else'. In order to be capable of taking full responsibility for all consequences in your life, you HAVE to be your own person, not be pushed around, not be the fall guy for someone else's machinations. Sometimes the best advice is your own, highlighted by the lyric:
"If you keep listening to your old lady, ain't no telling what'll happen to you"
I think it's a great song, quite inspiring actually and a great tune to drive to, drink coffee to, smoke to, whatever floats your boat really. I'd be really interested to hear what other people made of this tun too. Any thoughts guys?
AxWielder83 i agree totally with your thoughts on the song. It is a great tune and i enjoy having the git tuned to DADGAD to play this song. This open D tuning is deep and true. yortallan@gmail.com