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.
The busy streets
And the even busier
Patrons and vehicles
Argue my elusive steps
Through the blur of urgency
Here, I'm always on my toes
Until an abrupt blond door
Stowing a porcelain blond girl
Knock me right onto my back
And for a moment we're alone
And we both know that we're trapped
If morning never brings
Salvation for either one of us
Leave me and save yourself
I'll only slow you down
Breathe in slowly
Are you listening?
On this muted block
Everything is paused
You glow, blinding
Breaches my pupils
I taste your skin, I see our kids
I manage to siphon
Some breath from out my gut
Tell you to take my hand and run
I'll be waiting for you to come home
Extra, extra read all about it
A corporate head's been murdered!
His secretary found him
Scandal, slander
Catch all the gossip
From what I hear
The chief executive deserved it
Let's leave tonight at dusk
When the lights shine bright
Miles of cracked, crooked paths
Lit by buzzing filament
And neon glass
If morning never brings salvation
Leave me and save yourself
I'll always love you
And the even busier
Patrons and vehicles
Argue my elusive steps
Through the blur of urgency
Here, I'm always on my toes
Until an abrupt blond door
Stowing a porcelain blond girl
Knock me right onto my back
And for a moment we're alone
And we both know that we're trapped
If morning never brings
Salvation for either one of us
Leave me and save yourself
I'll only slow you down
Breathe in slowly
Are you listening?
On this muted block
Everything is paused
You glow, blinding
Breaches my pupils
I taste your skin, I see our kids
I manage to siphon
Some breath from out my gut
Tell you to take my hand and run
I'll be waiting for you to come home
Extra, extra read all about it
A corporate head's been murdered!
His secretary found him
Scandal, slander
Catch all the gossip
From what I hear
The chief executive deserved it
Let's leave tonight at dusk
When the lights shine bright
Miles of cracked, crooked paths
Lit by buzzing filament
And neon glass
If morning never brings salvation
Leave me and save yourself
I'll always love you
Lyrics submitted by xbotchla, edited by someguySoupboy, TheCorgiHunter
For a Dreamer, Night's the Only Time of Day Lyrics as written by Thomas Garrett Hunter Thomas Dutton
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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