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.
it ain't no cover
it ain't no style
I shouldn't bother
he's eight miles high
but I adore him
and I implore him
saying "I love him, mother,
but this ain't no style"
he sits there smoking
his breath away
he sits there choking
on what they say
but I adore him
and I implore him
saying "one of these mornings
I'm going away"
the sun is setting
the day is done
good night, my lover
good night, my son
I shouldn't bother
he's eight miles high
but I'll love him mother
til the day that I die
oh, til the day that I die
die-die die-die die-die da-da die-die
oh, til the day that I die
die, die...
I shouldn't bother
he's eight miles high
but I'll love him mother
til the day that I die...
it ain't no style
I shouldn't bother
he's eight miles high
but I adore him
and I implore him
saying "I love him, mother,
but this ain't no style"
he sits there smoking
his breath away
he sits there choking
on what they say
but I adore him
and I implore him
saying "one of these mornings
I'm going away"
the sun is setting
the day is done
good night, my lover
good night, my son
I shouldn't bother
he's eight miles high
but I'll love him mother
til the day that I die
oh, til the day that I die
die-die die-die die-die da-da die-die
oh, til the day that I die
die, die...
I shouldn't bother
he's eight miles high
but I'll love him mother
til the day that I die...
Lyrics submitted by Airyca, edited by madmethodness
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8 miles high is a drug reference, and that's mainly what this song is about. to me, it's about a woman who's in love with a man who has a destructive appetite, and she sees it and it pains her but she can't bare to leave him becuase she loves him so much. the heart beat she adds in might represent his mortality, and her fear that his drug abuse will get the best of him. I can relate.
Very Neat!
I've always heard her saying "I love him, Mother."
I know I'm replying to this debate three years too late (it rhymed!) but I hear "I love him, mother" too. :)
Whenever I hear this song I always think of Lennie in Of Mice and Men, because it says I shouldn't bother he's 8 miles high and Lennie is very tall also it says and I implore him saying one of these mornings I'm going away and George is always saying he wants to leave Lennie but he never does.
Obviously it's about lovers but it always makes me think of Lennie
so amazing live.
nieve teenager here:
what does "8 miles high" mean?
Just checking it isn't obscene or something
i think this is a very simple song about a mature crush on a man.....one of those punky tough guys....who talks big about politics and economic....haha thats really specific but thats how i picture it.....and she is expressing her true feelings "it aint no cover"
'8 miles high' means she feels she's not worthy, and that he's out of her league. thats my interpretation. but could be a drug context...i prefer to believe otherwises
i disagree. I reckon that he (being her husband) is on drugs. he's 8 miles high and she reckons that she must leave, despite the fact that she will always love him. She pleads with him to change and threatens to leave and she eventually does, vowing to never love another. What I don't get though, is why she would kiss her son good bye, as well as her husband before she leaves... would she leave her son to that kind of life? Also, in the live version i have she says "good bye my lover, good bye my son" not "good night..". Anyway, thats just the idea I'd always got from the song!
Ohh, and I love the heartbeat and its a great song to sing by yourself! Go Regina!
i disagree. I reckon that he (being her husband) is on drugs. he's 8 miles high and she reckons that she must leave, despite the fact that she will always love him. She pleads with him to change and threatens to leave and she eventually does, vowing to never love another. What I don't get though, is why she would kiss her son good bye, as well as her husband before she leaves... would she leave her son to that kind of life? Also, in the live version i have she says "good bye my lover, good bye my son" not "good night..". Anyway, thats just the idea I'd always got from the song!
Ohh, and I love the heartbeat and its a great song to sing by yourself! Go Regina!
It is a drug reference actually. "8 miles high" is the title of a song by the Byrds, and is allegedly the first song directly referencing drug use. She is saying he is high on drugs but she doesn't care, she loves him anyway. The title could also be a reference to the use of the lyrics "8 miles high", as in she is not covering that song.