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.
In the light of the sun
Is there anyone?
Oh, it has begun
Oh, dear, you look so lost
Your eyes are red when tears are shed
The world you must have crossed, you said
You don't know me, you don't even care
Oh yeah, you said
You don't know me, and you don't wear my chains
Oh yeah
Essential yet appealed
Carry all your thoughts
Across an open field
When flowers gaze at you
They're not the only ones
Who cry when they see you
You said
You don't know me, and you don't even care
Oh yeah, you said
You don't know me, and you don't wear my chains
Oh yeah
She said, I think I'm going to Boston
I think I'll start a new life
I think I'll start it over
Where no one knows my name
I'll get out of California
I'm tired of the weather
I think I'll get a lover
I'll fly 'em out to Spain
I think I'll go to Boston
I think that I was tired
I think I need a new town
To leave this all behind
I think I need a sunrise
I'm tired of a sunset
Here it's nice in the summer
Some snow would be nice, oh yeah
You don't know me, and you don't even care
Oh yeah
Boston
Where no one knows my name
No one knows my name
No one knows my name
Boston
Where no one knows my name
Is there anyone?
Oh, it has begun
Oh, dear, you look so lost
Your eyes are red when tears are shed
The world you must have crossed, you said
You don't know me, you don't even care
Oh yeah, you said
You don't know me, and you don't wear my chains
Oh yeah
Essential yet appealed
Carry all your thoughts
Across an open field
When flowers gaze at you
They're not the only ones
Who cry when they see you
You said
You don't know me, and you don't even care
Oh yeah, you said
You don't know me, and you don't wear my chains
Oh yeah
She said, I think I'm going to Boston
I think I'll start a new life
I think I'll start it over
Where no one knows my name
I'll get out of California
I'm tired of the weather
I think I'll get a lover
I'll fly 'em out to Spain
I think I'll go to Boston
I think that I was tired
I think I need a new town
To leave this all behind
I think I need a sunrise
I'm tired of a sunset
Here it's nice in the summer
Some snow would be nice, oh yeah
You don't know me, and you don't even care
Oh yeah
Boston
Where no one knows my name
No one knows my name
No one knows my name
Boston
Where no one knows my name
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So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
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i think everyone has their own boston they wish to go to...
this song is really exceptional
this song honestly means so much to me i can't even begin to explain. sometimes when i listen to it i feel it was written about my situation because it's so exact. the part that really sticks out to me is;
"I think I need a sunrise I'm tired of the sunset"
i just feel like it's meant in such a deeper way. being tired of the sunset, tired of things ending, tired of relationships and friendships ending, tired of people walking out of my life and just needing a sunrise, needing something new, something that signals that all will be okay because there's a new day ahead and new things to come.
Also "Some snow would be nice". Snow could mean new beginnings as well.
I love the sunrise/sunset line in particular because it's doubly clever. I agree totally that it's about a new beginning, and I think that's the main point of the line. But it's also cleverly a distinction between Boston (i.e. Atlantic coast) vs California (i.e. Pacific coast). Coastal Californians enjoy beautiful sunsets over the ocean; here in Boston, we enjoy beautiful sunrises.
@phoebegeorgina Couldn't have said it any better myself!!!!!!
Outstanding song.. it really seems to speak volumes to me. I particularly like the line "you don't wear my chains".. it really shows how some people don't know your point of view.. oh well, i'm rambling :) i love the song. the end.
This songs about leaving everything behind and I think there's a time in every persons life where this couldn't be truer and you want to just get up and leave everything.
"When flowers gaze at you, They’re not the only ones who cry when they see you."
WOW. i love this song! sometimes when i get bored i get on itunes and i just look for new music and when i found this i knew it was something special. i have been listening to it for months and months now and it has yet to grow old. infact me and my ipod are listening to it right now. i just love how it starts out slow and then gets really powerful...just a PERFECT song!
@tbsbrandnewdcjew Me too! One of my favorites of all time.
I don't think the meaning of this song is as depressing as people make it out to be. I think it's hopeful, the singer is talking about starting over. Starting fresh, with a new life and new experiences. He's leaving his blues behind. That's very uplifting.
@jedzee That\'s what I hear too, someone leaving a mire behind them and starting a brand new life, brimming with freedom and nothing negative to bring her down.
@jedzee <br /> I agree with your point of view.<br /> Sometime you've done all you can do and things become stagnant, so then it's just time to move on to a new adventure.<br /> It is kind of melancholy, but it always is when you take one last look.
I have been listening to this song for a long time and I just figured out what "essential yet appealed" means. It means that it is necessary, but still questioned because maybe the person is reluctant to do it.
well said
i really love augustana
I think that this song means that sometimes your life doesn't turn out the way you want it to, but you've gotta roll with the punches, and that people can't always help you, especially if they don't understand you. Sometimes it's just up to you.