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.
Every sweet little lie
Ever whispered to you now rings true
No need to wake the sleeping dogs
When they’ll just turn on you
I’ll make my way instead
To the foot of your ivory tower
But no love shall I find there
Among the leaves and the dying flowers
What became of the love we knew?
Beat the swine black and blue
You and I and me and you
What became of the love we knew?
What became of the love we knew?
The Thames and the Mersey
The Tyne and the Wear and the Clyde
They spew slums like gravy
On the banks of the poisonous tide
They washed up a pale thin girl
Alone in her ivory tower
Scratching her skin with the thorns that grow
On the stems of the wild flowers
What became of the love we knew?
Beat the swine black and blue
You and I and me and you
What became of the love we knew?
What became of the working class?
Nike Air, Reebok, Addidas
Scratch cards, pinball’s ecstasy
Hooray for the 21st century
Living in a looking glass
As the beauty of life goes by
You’re going to be so old
You’re going to be so old
Your skins so cold
Hooray for the 21st Century
Ever whispered to you now rings true
No need to wake the sleeping dogs
When they’ll just turn on you
I’ll make my way instead
To the foot of your ivory tower
But no love shall I find there
Among the leaves and the dying flowers
What became of the love we knew?
Beat the swine black and blue
You and I and me and you
What became of the love we knew?
What became of the love we knew?
The Thames and the Mersey
The Tyne and the Wear and the Clyde
They spew slums like gravy
On the banks of the poisonous tide
They washed up a pale thin girl
Alone in her ivory tower
Scratching her skin with the thorns that grow
On the stems of the wild flowers
What became of the love we knew?
Beat the swine black and blue
You and I and me and you
What became of the love we knew?
What became of the working class?
Nike Air, Reebok, Addidas
Scratch cards, pinball’s ecstasy
Hooray for the 21st century
Living in a looking glass
As the beauty of life goes by
You’re going to be so old
You’re going to be so old
Your skins so cold
Hooray for the 21st Century
Lyrics submitted by spring90
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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.
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have you heard the geordie voice in the background at the end, classic!