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.
Stay here baby
Stay with me...through the night
Tell me mama (please) Tell me
It's gunna be allright
Love me baby
Love me, while you can
'Cause we both know baby
We both know
I'm a ramblin' man
The further I wander
The Farther I fall
Sometimes I wonder
If I'll come home at all
(Hum solo)
I'm driving baby
All night long in the rain
the tears are rollin'
and my poor heart
is driving from the pain
The further I wander
The Farther I fall
Sometimes I wonder
If I'll come home at all
(Hum Solo)
The devil in trouble
A'Ride by my side
Baby I've mistreated
But lords knows I've cried
Now all that I need to be
Is satisfied.
Love me baby
Love me while you can
'Cause we both know baby
We both know I'm a ramblin' man..
I'm a ramblin man...
Stay with me...through the night
Tell me mama (please) Tell me
It's gunna be allright
Love me baby
Love me, while you can
'Cause we both know baby
We both know
I'm a ramblin' man
The further I wander
The Farther I fall
Sometimes I wonder
If I'll come home at all
(Hum solo)
I'm driving baby
All night long in the rain
the tears are rollin'
and my poor heart
is driving from the pain
The further I wander
The Farther I fall
Sometimes I wonder
If I'll come home at all
(Hum Solo)
The devil in trouble
A'Ride by my side
Baby I've mistreated
But lords knows I've cried
Now all that I need to be
Is satisfied.
Love me baby
Love me while you can
'Cause we both know baby
We both know I'm a ramblin' man..
I'm a ramblin man...
Lyrics submitted by RiversideGuitarist
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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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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Excellent song. I can't believe I'm the ONLY one that is putting his lyrics up here. You are all missing out on a fabulous artist!