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.
Sittin' here thinkin' 'bout yesterday,
How we shared a laugh and played,
How we celebrated all my good news,
Just me and you,
Mmmm ohhhhhh...
Black boy sits behind the cage,
Amongst so many friends in a daze,
His true purpose is to show the world
Its truth to his big ideas and,
Sign don't say another word, he says in smile,
"Come along for the ride,"
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, so many friends,
"Come along for the ride,"
Laughter you can bring, say the first thing on your mind,
And feel so satisfied,
"Come along for the ride,"
On a joyride...
Friday's given birth to Saturday,
And Sunday's left behind, we've sinned,
We've been born again,
On our way to there, if we ever make it there,
So many pretty lights, in my eyes,
"Come along for the ride,"
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, so many friends,
"Come along for the ride,"
Do the weekend, just before the singer and the big boy, becomes history,
"Come along for the ride,"
"Come along for the ride,"
"Come along on a joyride."
How we shared a laugh and played,
How we celebrated all my good news,
Just me and you,
Mmmm ohhhhhh...
Black boy sits behind the cage,
Amongst so many friends in a daze,
His true purpose is to show the world
Its truth to his big ideas and,
Sign don't say another word, he says in smile,
"Come along for the ride,"
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, so many friends,
"Come along for the ride,"
Laughter you can bring, say the first thing on your mind,
And feel so satisfied,
"Come along for the ride,"
On a joyride...
Friday's given birth to Saturday,
And Sunday's left behind, we've sinned,
We've been born again,
On our way to there, if we ever make it there,
So many pretty lights, in my eyes,
"Come along for the ride,"
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, so many friends,
"Come along for the ride,"
Do the weekend, just before the singer and the big boy, becomes history,
"Come along for the ride,"
"Come along for the ride,"
"Come along on a joyride."
Lyrics submitted by toothbrusher, edited by michaeldentico
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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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As Cody thinks about the beauty of childhood, he notices as people get older, they become more afraid to say how they truly feel and what they initially think. I don't believe this song has to do with anything racial, because he doesn't dig into any poetry beyond "black boy sits behind the cage". The point he emphasizes most is asking his 5 friends to join him on an enlightening trip where everyone says and acts out their deepest, truest thoughts. And afterward, all can return to their former life, after Cody's joyride of satisfaction. He uses the term joyride to describe the nature of the experience he is imposing. As if he is rebelling against our culture, or stealing something, he creates an experience that is not meant to be experienced by individuals in our society.
"his true purpose is to show the world its TRUTH, to his big ideas" and this he calls the joyride.