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.
It's nice here with a view of the trees
Eating with a spoon?
They don't give you knives?
'Spect you watch those trees
Blowing in the breeze
We want to see you lead a normal life
Eating with a spoon?
They don't give you knives?
'Spect you watch those trees
Blowing in the breeze
We want to see you lead a normal life
Lyrics submitted by f8fbearcat
Lead a Normal Life Lyrics as written by Peter Gabriel Leon Caffrey
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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f8fbearcat is generally correct. This is yet another song from Peter inspired by Anne Sexton. The lines may actually be a part of one of her poems, I am not positive as my book of her poems is long enough that I have not found it yet.
She is looking at the trees though the window as the only thing of the world she can see She is forced to eat with a spoon and her hands because no sharp objects are allowed Her only feeling of life is to see the leaves rustle in those trees But all they want is for her to have a "normal" life, that is behave as they want her to behave.
Someone talking to someone else who is in a psychiatrict hospital.
What goes on in the background when your not paying attention. People are trying to help, but they can't touch what you're feeling.