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.
HEADLESS HORSEMAN
It was a hard blow that put me on the ground but my grandma said “If she swings again you’ll duck” so I can see through me and wish you luck. You deserve yourself and I’ll be back, uselessly vengeful and seeing clear the width of our loss, and I’ll keep seeing clear when I clip my claws. I’ll see clear to what we never saw.
It was a hard blow that put me on the ground but my grandma said “If she swings again you’ll duck” so I can see through me and wish you luck. You deserve yourself and I’ll be back, uselessly vengeful and seeing clear the width of our loss, and I’ll keep seeing clear when I clip my claws. I’ll see clear to what we never saw.
Lyrics submitted by horsepowerhope, edited by kneejerkreactionary, itsmecaitlind
Headless Horseman Lyrics as written by Phillip Whitman Elverum
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
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its "my soft hands replaced by claws", not "i solve tens replaced by clust" what the hell does that mean?
Taking this song at face value, it's very interesting. it makes you think of how the headless horseman spends his time. A man being turned into a stray dog, looking for himself after dying. What would the headless horseman do while there is nothing to chase after? How would he feel after turning into this ghost?
i think it's closer to what sethbrown was saying. Only elvrum didn't become a jerk. This song is localized to that moment during a breakup before you even know that's what's happening. He's full of anger that he can't help but lash out (You deserve yourself), and intense, unresolved solipsism.
This is the story of a Hessian soldier whose head was blown off by a canon in the American Revolutionary War.
im hardly believing that no one has commented on this song! Its Elvrum at his best..its so beautiful. The Glow Pt II is truly a gem.
it's about a guy who's been dumped and starts acting like a jerk. a lot of us have been there.
This song is amazing, Floyd-Eye sounds about right.. what to do after death.
i was listening to this song a few nights ago and for some reason it occurred to me that this song might have something to do with the complete loss of innocence. i feel like this is one of those "morning after" songs. so beautiful
this song is too much for me. its too much of a goodbye all too familiar.
the microphones are truly amazing, whenever i listen to them i want to be inside of the music. it moves me.