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.
I got a house full of walls
And utility bills, every Monday the company calls
I got a nice bed to sleep on
And a chest of drawers, where I keep those jewels of yours
Cause you're always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John
Ten years passed
And I ended up with a house full of cats
But most of them went missing
Through that window you never fixed, the door you never latched
When you were on your way out like the last time...
Cause you are always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John
I knew what you were doing
That summer when Candy came around
But I had too much hurt to bother you
When we lost our first child I thought a little payment was overdue
And I want you so bad...
Cause you are always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you...
Oh John...
And utility bills, every Monday the company calls
I got a nice bed to sleep on
And a chest of drawers, where I keep those jewels of yours
Cause you're always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John
Ten years passed
And I ended up with a house full of cats
But most of them went missing
Through that window you never fixed, the door you never latched
When you were on your way out like the last time...
Cause you are always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John
I knew what you were doing
That summer when Candy came around
But I had too much hurt to bother you
When we lost our first child I thought a little payment was overdue
And I want you so bad...
Cause you are always mine to keep when you're gone
Two silvers rings, one's on my finger and the other one's gone
It went underground with you, oh John
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you
I miss you...
Oh John...
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry, edited by kmg14c
Dear John [Live Studio Recording] Lyrics as written by Ryan Adams Norah Jones
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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By the way, the part about the cats escaping through the window reminds me of an old joke. A man goes to the psychiatrist because his wife has filled their house with cats: "We have more than 100 and there's an awful smell everywhere." "Why don't you open up the windows then?" "No way! My 200 pigeons would escape."