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'm a deep sea diver with my fins
And underneath your current I do swim
A baker's dozen pretty pearls
And when I try them on my toes do curl
'Cause you, you got everything that I want
The car, the house, the dog
You got everything that I want
Just keep me a while
Just keep me a while
Just keep me a while (oh my)
Just keep me a while
Just keep me a while (oh my)
I'm a deep sea diver losing air
And around your laps I swim, but you don't care
And underneath your current I do swim
A baker's dozen pretty pearls
And when I try them on my toes do curl
'Cause you, you got everything that I want
The car, the house, the dog
You got everything that I want
Just keep me a while
Just keep me a while
Just keep me a while (oh my)
Just keep me a while
Just keep me a while (oh my)
I'm a deep sea diver losing air
And around your laps I swim, but you don't care
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I think it's about longing for someone that is more put-together than you. Maybe its just my interpretation but I think the "the car, the house, the dog" line is referring to someone who has things which represent stability and maturity. The narrator longs to be a part of that kind of stable, deep relationship, but the person has no interest in him.