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.
You ask me what I like about Texas
I tell you it's the wide open spaces!
It's everything between the Sabine and the Rio Grande.
It's the Llano Estacado,
It's the Brazos and the Colorado;
Spirit of the people down here who share this land!
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mothers of the bunkhouse band!
You ask me what I like about Texas
It's the big timber round Nacadoches
It's driving El Camino Real into San Antone
It's the Riverwalk and Mi Tierra
Jamm'n out with bongo Joe
It's stories of the Menger Hotel and the Alamo!
(You remember the Alamo!)
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand!
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mother love'n bunkhouse band!
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand!
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mother love'n bunkhouse band!
Well, you ask me what I like about Texas
It's Blue Bonnet and Indian paint brushes
Swimming in the sacred waters of Barton Springs
It's body surfing at Freo
It's Saturday night in Del Rio!
It's crossing over the border for some cultural exchange!
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand!
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mother love'n bunkhouse band!
Well, you ask me what I like about Texas
Well, I could tell you, but we'd be here all night long
I tell you it's the wide open spaces!
It's everything between the Sabine and the Rio Grande.
It's the Llano Estacado,
It's the Brazos and the Colorado;
Spirit of the people down here who share this land!
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mothers of the bunkhouse band!
You ask me what I like about Texas
It's the big timber round Nacadoches
It's driving El Camino Real into San Antone
It's the Riverwalk and Mi Tierra
Jamm'n out with bongo Joe
It's stories of the Menger Hotel and the Alamo!
(You remember the Alamo!)
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand!
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mother love'n bunkhouse band!
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand!
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mother love'n bunkhouse band!
Well, you ask me what I like about Texas
It's Blue Bonnet and Indian paint brushes
Swimming in the sacred waters of Barton Springs
It's body surfing at Freo
It's Saturday night in Del Rio!
It's crossing over the border for some cultural exchange!
It's another burrito, it's a cold Lone Star in my hand!
It's a quarter for the jukebox, boys,
Play the sons of the mother love'n bunkhouse band!
Well, you ask me what I like about Texas
Well, I could tell you, but we'd be here all night long
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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If you’ve ever lived in Texas you would understand this song. It is exactly what its says, “What I like about Texas.”
Gary P. Nunn is another one of my favorite Texas music artists.
I am a native Texan transplanted here in Tennessee. I listen to this song whenever I get a little homesick.