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.
This hotel bar is full of people,
The piano man is really laying it down,
The old bartender is as high as a steeple,
So why tonight should I wear a frown?
The joint is jumpin' all around me,
And my mood is really not in style,
Right now the blues flock to surround me,
But I'll break out after a while.
Yes I'm a million miles away,
I'm a million miles away,
I'm sailing like a driftwood,
On a windy bay,
On a windy bay.
I'm a million miles away,
I'm a million miles away,
But I'm sailing like a driftwood,
On a windy bay,
On a windy bay.
Why ask how I feel,
Well, how does it look to you?
I fell hook, line and sinker,
Lost my captain and my crew.
I'm standing on the landing,
There's no one there but me,
That's where you'll find me,
Looking out on the deep blue sea.
There's a song on the lips of everybody,
There's a smile all around the room,
There's conversation overflowing,
But I sit here with the blues.
This hotel bar has lost all its people,
The piano man has caught the last bus home,
The old bartender just collapsed in the corner,
Why I'm still here, I just don't know,
I don't know.
I'm a million miles away,
A million miles away,
I'm sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay,
On a windy bay.
I'm a million miles away,
A million miles away,
I'm sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay,
Send me away...
The piano man is really laying it down,
The old bartender is as high as a steeple,
So why tonight should I wear a frown?
The joint is jumpin' all around me,
And my mood is really not in style,
Right now the blues flock to surround me,
But I'll break out after a while.
Yes I'm a million miles away,
I'm a million miles away,
I'm sailing like a driftwood,
On a windy bay,
On a windy bay.
I'm a million miles away,
I'm a million miles away,
But I'm sailing like a driftwood,
On a windy bay,
On a windy bay.
Why ask how I feel,
Well, how does it look to you?
I fell hook, line and sinker,
Lost my captain and my crew.
I'm standing on the landing,
There's no one there but me,
That's where you'll find me,
Looking out on the deep blue sea.
There's a song on the lips of everybody,
There's a smile all around the room,
There's conversation overflowing,
But I sit here with the blues.
This hotel bar has lost all its people,
The piano man has caught the last bus home,
The old bartender just collapsed in the corner,
Why I'm still here, I just don't know,
I don't know.
I'm a million miles away,
A million miles away,
I'm sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay,
On a windy bay.
I'm a million miles away,
A million miles away,
I'm sailing like a driftwood on a windy bay,
Send me away...
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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It's about a guy who feels lonely despite being surrounded by people. He's also high (a million miles away) and somehow finds comfort in that. At least that's what I think.
the outro keyboard solo on the irish tour album is phenomenal. i love this song so much.
This song is really amazing; the lyrics, the way it's build up and especially the guitar just sweeps me away
As far as I know it's about his alcohol abuse. It becomes much more meaning with the fact that he, according to some fans, was not really willing to drink because of his own desire. His purpose was more to celebrate and be with his fans after concerts and because he always was very polite he never refused a drink. So it happens a lot that he left his hotelroom to party with his fans at the bar for example.... Now think about that combined with his health issues regarding to the alcohol and medical abuse when you're next time listening to the song. A lot of the lyrics make sense obviously ???? i personally like it very much because it tells a lot about him and his personal thoughts and on the other hand it's a masterpiece of his performance. RiP RG