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.
Well it's a minor altercation, despite your hesitation
By all degrees that you will see we are causing quite a sensation
So publication of needing motivation
Your mother says its OK outside the subway station
You're taking off your stripes
Even your knees are nice
I'll tease you with a knife until you're screaming for your life
I think so too
And you surrender, can I spend you up?
You're my illegally illegal tender
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that will love me like no other
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that knows I love her like no other
Well it's a minor altercation, despite your hesitation
And apart the contrary and appending accusation
Cinematography, that you're willing but happy to see
A scene that stars you and a girl, you're both on top of me
I looked into your eyes
And pushed your buttons and levers
You said you'd see until we agree and kindly said whatever
And you like my loving better
Cause' you said so in a letter, that said return to sender
My illegally illegal tender
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that will love me like no other
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that knows I love her like no other
It takes a lover
Two in the pocket is better than three
Two in the pocket is better than three
It's better than three
Two in the pocket is better than three
And three in the pocket is better than four
and five in the pocket is better than six
And put them together then pick up the sticks
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that will love me like no other
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that knows I love her like no other
By all degrees that you will see we are causing quite a sensation
So publication of needing motivation
Your mother says its OK outside the subway station
You're taking off your stripes
Even your knees are nice
I'll tease you with a knife until you're screaming for your life
I think so too
And you surrender, can I spend you up?
You're my illegally illegal tender
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that will love me like no other
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that knows I love her like no other
Well it's a minor altercation, despite your hesitation
And apart the contrary and appending accusation
Cinematography, that you're willing but happy to see
A scene that stars you and a girl, you're both on top of me
I looked into your eyes
And pushed your buttons and levers
You said you'd see until we agree and kindly said whatever
And you like my loving better
Cause' you said so in a letter, that said return to sender
My illegally illegal tender
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that will love me like no other
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that knows I love her like no other
It takes a lover
Two in the pocket is better than three
Two in the pocket is better than three
It's better than three
Two in the pocket is better than three
And three in the pocket is better than four
and five in the pocket is better than six
And put them together then pick up the sticks
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that will love me like no other
It takes a lover, it takes a lover
It takes a lover that knows I love her like no other
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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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"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
at the louis xiv concert during the "Two in the pocket is better than three" part, Jason just kind of threw in "I really don't know what that means"
another song about sex by Louis XIV...I love this band.
i think it's about UNDERAGE LOVIN!!!
sex with underaged girls. Enough said.
favorite song. swt lyrics. awesome beat.
now that i read the lyrics more, doesn't the second paragraph or w/e sound like rape? and then it seems like the girl gives in and they have a threesome. wow yeah, maybe i'm totally wrong.
clearly about sex, even about rape ("I’ll tease you with a knife until you’re screaming for your life") but I love it
Another dirty dirty song by this delicious band. I think it's about knife-play rather than rape though.