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.
We went to a Japanese restaurant
The dogs, the kids, and me
Lose my cares
In a cup of plum wine
And salads from the sea
We tripped into the calm little
Room
With the sliding paper walls
Mom was wearin’ her rose kimono
She was waiting for the fall
Just another night
A day in the life
Just another foreign film
In black and white
When you mess with them
You’re out of the realm of Zen
When they put on their party
Hats
The cook cracked, yeah yeah yeah
The cook, he told me
“Children not exactly well
Behaved”
I said, “Well, you can’t have it all”
And really, who cares
When the magic plum wine
Is dancing on the paper walls?
Then your lover shows up
Puts a sweet hello on your lips
And you’re transported
To the mist on the mountain
Till everyone runs in for the kiss
Don’t you know
It’s just another night
A day in the life
Just another foreign film
In black and white
When you mess with them
You’re beyond the realm of Zen
When they put on their party
Hats
The cook cracked, yeah yeah yeah
Did that ever happen to you?
As the wine descended
My citizenship surrendered
And I became a geisha
I moved through the mystery
Dark and content
With an uppity feminist bent
Mr. Cook, don’t you save my life
Don’t you save my love
I am quite contented, yes, sir
The elders say
Kids are grown and gone
Someday
So let’s enjoy the adventure
I’m sorry
But it’s just another night
A day in the life
Waitress, do you remember us?
As you can see, the situation is still a little out of control,
But I haven’t had a cigarette—it’s amazing—in five years.
But you know, for five years, I’ve been very hungry.
I’m sorry
But it’s just another night and day
The dogs, the kids, and me
Lose my cares
In a cup of plum wine
And salads from the sea
We tripped into the calm little
Room
With the sliding paper walls
Mom was wearin’ her rose kimono
She was waiting for the fall
Just another night
A day in the life
Just another foreign film
In black and white
When you mess with them
You’re out of the realm of Zen
When they put on their party
Hats
The cook cracked, yeah yeah yeah
The cook, he told me
“Children not exactly well
Behaved”
I said, “Well, you can’t have it all”
And really, who cares
When the magic plum wine
Is dancing on the paper walls?
Then your lover shows up
Puts a sweet hello on your lips
And you’re transported
To the mist on the mountain
Till everyone runs in for the kiss
Don’t you know
It’s just another night
A day in the life
Just another foreign film
In black and white
When you mess with them
You’re beyond the realm of Zen
When they put on their party
Hats
The cook cracked, yeah yeah yeah
Did that ever happen to you?
As the wine descended
My citizenship surrendered
And I became a geisha
I moved through the mystery
Dark and content
With an uppity feminist bent
Mr. Cook, don’t you save my life
Don’t you save my love
I am quite contented, yes, sir
The elders say
Kids are grown and gone
Someday
So let’s enjoy the adventure
I’m sorry
But it’s just another night
A day in the life
Waitress, do you remember us?
As you can see, the situation is still a little out of control,
But I haven’t had a cigarette—it’s amazing—in five years.
But you know, for five years, I’ve been very hungry.
I’m sorry
But it’s just another night and day
Lyrics submitted by just_old_light
Japanese Restaurant Song Lyrics as written by Laura Nyro
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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