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.
What does this ship bring to me
Far across the restless sea
Waiting for the sirens' call
I've never seen it here before
There she plies a lonely trade
Cutting through the breaking waves
Drifting slowly from her course
She is lost forever more
We all want some kind of love
But sometimes it's not enough
To the wall and through the door
With a stranger on the shore
I won't desert you
I don't know what to say
I really hurt you
I nearly gave it all away
I've got it all wrong
Cause you were not the wrong one
And I don't know where to turn when you're gone
When you're gone
Gotta catch the midnight train
First to Paris then to Spain
Travel with a document
All across the continent
City life is flying by
The wheels are turning all the while
Get on board we can't be late
Our destination cannot wait
All the stars and all the worlds
Filling up this universe
Could never be as close as us
Will never shine as bright on us
I won't desert you
I don't know what to say
I really hurt you
I nearly gave it all away
I've got it all wrong
Cause you were not the wrong one
And I don't know where to turn when you're gone
When you're gone
I won't desert you
I don't know what to say
I really hurt you
I nearly gave it all away
I've got it all wrong
Cause you were not the wrong one
And I don't know where to turn when you're gone
How many times must I lose my way, hey
How many words do I have to say, hey
What can I do just to make you see
That you're so good for a man like
A man like me
Far across the restless sea
Waiting for the sirens' call
I've never seen it here before
There she plies a lonely trade
Cutting through the breaking waves
Drifting slowly from her course
She is lost forever more
We all want some kind of love
But sometimes it's not enough
To the wall and through the door
With a stranger on the shore
I won't desert you
I don't know what to say
I really hurt you
I nearly gave it all away
I've got it all wrong
Cause you were not the wrong one
And I don't know where to turn when you're gone
When you're gone
Gotta catch the midnight train
First to Paris then to Spain
Travel with a document
All across the continent
City life is flying by
The wheels are turning all the while
Get on board we can't be late
Our destination cannot wait
All the stars and all the worlds
Filling up this universe
Could never be as close as us
Will never shine as bright on us
I won't desert you
I don't know what to say
I really hurt you
I nearly gave it all away
I've got it all wrong
Cause you were not the wrong one
And I don't know where to turn when you're gone
When you're gone
I won't desert you
I don't know what to say
I really hurt you
I nearly gave it all away
I've got it all wrong
Cause you were not the wrong one
And I don't know where to turn when you're gone
How many times must I lose my way, hey
How many words do I have to say, hey
What can I do just to make you see
That you're so good for a man like
A man like me
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beautiful bass/vocal interaction. this and krafty make a perfect relationship problem duo. you're all crazy for not writing about this one
i love this song, it's beautiful and i have it stuck in my head right now but what does it mean??? i'm trying my hardest to work it out but the only thing i can come up with is someone saying something really bad to a good friend or lover, and now they regret it.
I love this one too. It seems to me that it's talking about a relationship that someone decided to end, then realising how much he misses her and is trying to reclaim her love. As in the chorus part, "I've got it all wrong, Cause you were not the wrong one, And I don't know where to turn when you're gone". I'm not sure about some of the earlier verses though.
By far and away my favourite part though is the very last few lines, followed by the guitar riffs. Such a great ending for a great song.
siren's deceive with their beautiful music, then devour those who are attracted to it. this one's a toughy, but i think that because he knows about her life before they met he doubts the relationship for some reason, let's her go, then realizes he loves her.
and then i guess we have to be honest with ourselves... maybe he decides to think he loves her
Beautiful song, excellent lyrics. I like the 'global' feel of it (Paris, Spain..)
this song is partially a passage from the book, The Odyssey. It's more ambiguous then it leads on to be and I don't suppose most people would catch it.
In the mean time our good ship, with that perfect wind to drive her, fast approached the Sirens' Isle. But now the breeze dropped, some power lulled the waves, and a breathless calm set in. Rising from their seats my men drew in the sail and threw it into the hold, then sat down at the oars, and churned the water white with blades of polished pine. Meanwhile I took a large round of wax, cut it up small with my sword, and kneaded the pieces with all the strength of my fingers. The wax soon yielded to my vigorous treatment and grew warm, for I had the rays of my Lord the Sun to help me. I took each of my men in turn and plugged their ears with it.
They then made me a prisoner on my ship by binding me hand and foot, standing me up by the step of the mast and tying the rope's ends to the mast itself. This done, they sat down once more and struck the grey water with their oars.
-We made good progress and had just come within call of the shore when the Sirens became aware that a ship was swiftly bearing down upon them, and broke into their liquid song.
-"Draw near," they sang, "illustrious Odysseus, flower of the Achaean chivalry, and bring your ship to rest so that you may hear our voices. No seaoman ever sailed his black ship past this spot without listening to the sweet tonest that flow from our lips . . . ."
-The lovely voices came to me across the water, and my heart was filled with such a longing to listen that with nod and frown I signed to my men to set me free.
I love the original song But there is a remix of this song Planet Funk remix, on Ultra Electro album
To me, it's got such a happy beat, but very heart felt and almost sad. I want this song to be played at my funeral...whenever that is haha
What this song is about is apparent - a siren's call, or mermaid's call, was what called sailors to their deaths...sailors traveled the world. it's in reference to a groupie and the new sailors rock stars and it says it straight out in this verse - the rest is metaphor...
We all want some kind of love But sometimes it's not enough To the wall and through the door With a stranger on the shore
This song gives me so feels, I always feel like crying when I hear it!!