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 left tuesday and by wednesday you were so alone
Is this your nightmare man?
The millions of punch drunks and the cannibal king is taking control
Now that you're burning in space
You try to remember her face and the crown of your heart
Now you're fighting for the manacle girls and boys
Like a kettle of keys
One of which might unlock all of these
If these are the black gates of hell
Then I'm sorry for the life I've wasted so
I forgot to fall in love
I forgot to call on the keystone clan
I never got to be a man at all
Your crocodile tears
Your manikin angel cage of fire is killing him so
Now you're searching for life up in these cold casino clouds
With your panicking eyes I am not alone
Now these are the angry jaws of death
Now this is the calm while Father Grim is smiling so
I never got to fully say
I never got to really explain myself
I forgot got to sing
I got us here, I saw the sign
Now breathe in the air, and you'll be fine
Now I will never fall in love
Now I will never really explain myself
But honey I will sing
Is this your nightmare man?
The millions of punch drunks and the cannibal king is taking control
Now that you're burning in space
You try to remember her face and the crown of your heart
Now you're fighting for the manacle girls and boys
Like a kettle of keys
One of which might unlock all of these
If these are the black gates of hell
Then I'm sorry for the life I've wasted so
I forgot to fall in love
I forgot to call on the keystone clan
I never got to be a man at all
Your crocodile tears
Your manikin angel cage of fire is killing him so
Now you're searching for life up in these cold casino clouds
With your panicking eyes I am not alone
Now these are the angry jaws of death
Now this is the calm while Father Grim is smiling so
I never got to fully say
I never got to really explain myself
I forgot got to sing
I got us here, I saw the sign
Now breathe in the air, and you'll be fine
Now I will never fall in love
Now I will never really explain myself
But honey I will sing
Lyrics submitted by whenshesmiles
Casino Clouds Lyrics as written by Michael L. Shepard David Owen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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it's "mannequin" not "manikin"
i absolutely love this song. i think it's about when, in a spiritual sense, god's light leaves you and you're left feeling alone and in doubt when you knew you could have prevented it. i'm not sure though. just a thought.
in the cd liner it's "manikin" but that doesn't change the meaning of the song. it's a minor detail. anyway, i think it's about regrets.
I agree with the last. Remorse, Regret, and Lost Love.
"Manikin" and "mannequin" are synonymous.
Eh. Regret. Perhaps about worrying that you won't get to accomplish certain things before you die.
I'm coming back to this song 10 years later.
"Fighting for the manacle girls and boys like a kettle of keys one of which might unlock all of these"
Could be a reference to wanting to free people from bonds of marriage or something deeper like fighting the sentimentality of a first love. Manacles representing his mind not being able to free itself from the emotions.
"I forgot to call on the Keystone Clan" I had to look up the song 'Keystone Clan' and found that this song is related to the topics in Casino Clouds.
"I got us here I saw the sign now breathe in the air and you'll be fine"
Nostalgia and regret can create suffocating feelings. Breathing deep relieves stress, panic attacks etc.
"Now I will never fall in love Now I will never really explain myself but honey I will sing"
this last line is tough and very personal as I get older. You accept some things are over and can't be attained
but you can always sing or express your sorrow about it
'm coming back to this song 10 years later.
"Fighting for the manacle girls and boys like a kettle of keys one of which might unlock all of these"
Could be a reference to wanting to free people from bonds of marriage or something deeper like fighting the sentimentality of a first love. Manacles representing his mind not being able to free itself from the emotions.
"I forgot to call on the Keystone Clan" I had to look up the song 'Keystone Clan' and found that this song is related to the topics in Casino Clouds.
"I got us here I saw the sign now breathe in the air and you'll be fine"
Nostalgia and regret can create suffocating feelings. Breathing deep relieves stress, panic attacks etc.
"Now I will never fall in love Now I will never really explain myself but honey I will sing"
this last line is tough and very personal as I get older. You accept some things are over and can't be attained but you can always sing or express your sorrow about it