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.
Ashes to ashes, dust on the dash
I got my cigarettes
But I can't find the fire, it's calming me down
I was just out on a night with my friends
You are still out on a night with your friends
And you don't seem to tire when I'm not around
I'm under the tunnel now, holding my breath
I searched every pocket that hung in the closet
Until I found some matches and a brown leather jacket
One I swore I'd never worn, but it once kept you warm
Do you remember we made love on the floor?
And you still haven't called
So I wait until they're closing the bars
I made a wish but the match never lit
I got my cigarettes
But I can't find the fire, it's calming me down
I was just out on a night with my friends
You are still out on a night with your friends
And you don't seem to tire when I'm not around
I'm under the tunnel now, holding my breath
I searched every pocket that hung in the closet
Until I found some matches and a brown leather jacket
One I swore I'd never worn, but it once kept you warm
Do you remember we made love on the floor?
And you still haven't called
So I wait until they're closing the bars
I made a wish but the match never lit
Lyrics submitted by charcoalsketch
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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,
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find the fire's is right...as is "to tire"
then it's "But under the tunnel, I'm holding my breath"
then it's "I searched every parka that hung in the closet"
I don't get that second to last line...it almost sounds like "crawls in the bar"...but I don't know