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.
Shared a cigarette for breakfast
Shared an airplane ride for lunch
Sitting in between a ghost
And a walking bowl of punch
Can you play a little hunch?
Predicting a delay on landing
Well I predict we'll have a drink
Lost my money on the first hand
Got burned on a big fat king
And your ears are gonna ring
And your eyes just wanna close
Nothing changing I suppose
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
We'll wait away the raindrops
Look out boy, you'll catch cold
Serving boy can chain nothing
That ain't anchored to his throne
But at least he's going home
Sitting like a backwoods junkie
Caught down in a servant trust
Look at the funny monkey
Putting silver in his cup
And your silver turns to rust
And your secondhand clothes
Trust no one I suppose
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
Shared a cigarette for breakfast
Shared a pack of lies for lunch
Credit card almighty
Bringing in the next little bunch
And you owe me on a hunch
And your eyes just wanna close
And nothing changes I suppose
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
Shared an airplane ride for lunch
Sitting in between a ghost
And a walking bowl of punch
Can you play a little hunch?
Predicting a delay on landing
Well I predict we'll have a drink
Lost my money on the first hand
Got burned on a big fat king
And your ears are gonna ring
And your eyes just wanna close
Nothing changing I suppose
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
We'll wait away the raindrops
Look out boy, you'll catch cold
Serving boy can chain nothing
That ain't anchored to his throne
But at least he's going home
Sitting like a backwoods junkie
Caught down in a servant trust
Look at the funny monkey
Putting silver in his cup
And your silver turns to rust
And your secondhand clothes
Trust no one I suppose
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
Shared a cigarette for breakfast
Shared a pack of lies for lunch
Credit card almighty
Bringing in the next little bunch
And you owe me on a hunch
And your eyes just wanna close
And nothing changes I suppose
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
It's too late to turn back, here we go
Portland, oh no
Lyrics submitted by MrAwesomeSquared
Portland Lyrics as written by Paul Westerberg
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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A few (possible) corrections:
I'm fairly sure it's "Shared a pack of lights for lunch" (light cigarettes having less nicotine and all that, some people end up smoking more of them), as opposed to "pack of lies". In "Serving boy can chain nothing that ain't anchored to his throne", the "anchored" part sounds like Paul is saying something else, but I'm not sure what. Finally, I hear "And your ears just wanna ring" as opposed to "Your ears is gonna ring". It's not a major difference, but given that ears cannot will themselves to ring, it may serve as a Westerberg twist of language. Then again, I've been wrong before. Thanks Mr. AwesomeSquared, you picked up on some things I had previously missed.
Neigh, said the horse to the jack---!!. On one hand "pack of lights" does make sense, but we're talking about Westerberg, who presumably, is relating what I believe is the bitter experience of mistakes and disappointment. Hence the Paul is sharing a measley cigarette for breakfast-- he eat nothing, and to top it off for lunch he is lied to by a music manager? probably someone making promises that they certainly can't keep? But at 4:12 Paul apologizes to their fans who the next day following the show had gathered outside their hotel and the Mats threw old sandwiches down upon them! Bad idea boys, but they do apologize.... at least that is the way I understand it.