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 must be made of straw
The way you bend
You’re afraid of windy days or any breeze
At all it never ends
We run too much
And we shake too many hands
Now all our thumbs are broken
And our toes too sore to dance
But when our minds are sharp
And our teeth are clean
We focus on the past
And we don’t say what we mean
It’s then that we gain perspective
It’s then we realize where we went wrong
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so cold when I kiss you
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so bold as to miss me
Strange how words
Seemed to only make things worse
So let’s speak without our tongues
And we’ll sing without a verse
Until your eyes are red
Until my stomach hurts
Until we’re bleeding from the silence
And the salt has stained our shirts
Until there’s pleasure in our pain and our
Sadness leads to gain, again, again
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so cold when I kiss you
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so bold as to miss me
We must be made of glass
The way we break
We crumble into pieces
When we leave too much at stake
But when your mind is closed
And our heads are sore
We’ve buried all the laughter
And you’re walking out the door
Think back to a time when time was a place
Where a thought was a dream
And a dream was a hope for time
The way you bend
You’re afraid of windy days or any breeze
At all it never ends
We run too much
And we shake too many hands
Now all our thumbs are broken
And our toes too sore to dance
But when our minds are sharp
And our teeth are clean
We focus on the past
And we don’t say what we mean
It’s then that we gain perspective
It’s then we realize where we went wrong
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so cold when I kiss you
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so bold as to miss me
Strange how words
Seemed to only make things worse
So let’s speak without our tongues
And we’ll sing without a verse
Until your eyes are red
Until my stomach hurts
Until we’re bleeding from the silence
And the salt has stained our shirts
Until there’s pleasure in our pain and our
Sadness leads to gain, again, again
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so cold when I kiss you
Oh oh oh oh
Don’t be so bold as to miss me
We must be made of glass
The way we break
We crumble into pieces
When we leave too much at stake
But when your mind is closed
And our heads are sore
We’ve buried all the laughter
And you’re walking out the door
Think back to a time when time was a place
Where a thought was a dream
And a dream was a hope for time
Lyrics submitted by Tribabe2007
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
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These lyrics are so gorgeous.
I think it's more than just a breakup, though. There's this undercurrent of...well, partnership - - they're doing something together, something where they have to put on an act - shake hands, dance...and it's breaking their thumbs. It's showy and superficial and there's something under the surface that they're doing as well - with those sharp, sharp minds - they have goals, they're running & they're ambitious and they have plans with a capital P.
And this game, well, it's ruining their relationship. Whether they had one at all, or whether it's all for show, or whether - - it's all become phoney and cold but they're the only other person who understands any of it, and so...
It's gorgeous. The chorus. How dare you miss me? It doesn't work like that.
Does this make any sense?