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 were once a sweet little girl
So innocent and pure
Your eyes were open and sure
Anyone could look right in
And I followed closely your gaze
You looked up towards the sky
And I watched your face drift away
Other things had caught your eye
Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol
Oh, and maybe music television really is the devil after all
But all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
And you dream of sharing your heart
Instead you share your bed
And your heart beats empty and cold
With all the tears you have shed
And you dream of baring your soul
Instead you bare more skin
And you wear dark glasses to keep
Anyone from looking in
Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol
Oh, and maybe music television really is the devil after all
But all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
And all you want is to hear the words
"Dear baby I love you"
So you hike your skirt higher still
'Til their eyes are all on you
You drive in fast foreign cars
The color of your sin
And you tint your windows to keep
Anyone from looking in
Oh, and all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
And all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
You could be beautiful again
So innocent and pure
Your eyes were open and sure
Anyone could look right in
And I followed closely your gaze
You looked up towards the sky
And I watched your face drift away
Other things had caught your eye
Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol
Oh, and maybe music television really is the devil after all
But all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
And you dream of sharing your heart
Instead you share your bed
And your heart beats empty and cold
With all the tears you have shed
And you dream of baring your soul
Instead you bare more skin
And you wear dark glasses to keep
Anyone from looking in
Oh, the magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol
Oh, and maybe music television really is the devil after all
But all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
And all you want is to hear the words
"Dear baby I love you"
So you hike your skirt higher still
'Til their eyes are all on you
You drive in fast foreign cars
The color of your sin
And you tint your windows to keep
Anyone from looking in
Oh, and all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
Before you grew up, before you gave in
And all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then
You could be beautiful again
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i think the meaning this is pretty obvious... he watched an innocent young girl grow up and become absorbed into the materialstic lifestyle and he's disappointed that she had once been so pure and beautiful and didn't care for such things. still, at the end he believes that she could still be beautiful... such a great song.
i think the meaning this is pretty obvious... he watched an innocent young girl grow up and become absorbed into the materialstic lifestyle and he's disappointed that she had once been so pure and beautiful and didn't care for such things. still, at the end he believes that she could still be beautiful... such a great song.
It's about "the scene."
The little girl is the underground punk scene that has evolved from an independent music to a major label tool controlled by MTV. Its pretty clear he is disgusted by the changes. The scene is no longer a respected indie/alternative music, but a money machine.
As someone who has loved this scene of music for a long time, and have a hard time finding many new artists to respect like I had in the past. When fans stopped finding the best new bands by local concerts / word of mouth/ and online communities, and started looking for new "punk" bands on MTV, it was clear the genre had collectively sold-out.
I love this song, and the end is a great insight to Dustin's thoughts on the music industry.
"And all I can say is I knew you before You were beautiful back then You could be beautiful again..."
just a note, the original lyrics were as follows:
You were once a sweet little girl, so innocent and pure. Your eyes were open and sure anyone could look right in. and wallow close to your gaze. you looked up towards the sky but I watched your face drift away, other things caught your eye.
The magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol and maybe music television really is the devil after all but all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then Before you grew up, before you gave in.
You dream of sharing your heart You said you'd share your bed and the pain you feel doesn't leave with all the skin you have shed. And you dream of bearing your soul instead you bear your skin and you wear dark glasses to keep anyone from looking in.
The magazines and media supplied you with their plastic protocol and maybe music television really is the devil after all but all I can say is I knew you before you were beautiful back then Before you grew up, before you gave in. but all I can say is I knew you before, you were beautiful back then. You could be beautiful again.
In the original versions Dustin did, the song was just acoustic. It had a complete different sound and feel.. A real importance to the "knew you before you were beautiful / back then" almost to say.. both "I knew you before you were beautiful" and "I knew you before. You were beautiful back then"
Maybe I'm wrong, about the wordplay, but it just feels right....
I take it to say that people lose their inner beauty searching for something superficial. It definitely sounds like it's a story about a girl, but who knows the real meaning.
one more thing: the original title dustin had for the song was just "Folk", maybe an emphasis on the fact that it's a story? as well as his progression into the sound.
is it just me? this song reminds of a lot of the theme in "the catcher in the rye." i know Dustin is an avid reader. could the inspiration came from a book?
its about the death of punk rock
I love this song. it really makes me reflect on things i've done.
"you could be beautiful again"
i love this song. its so easy to relate to, because at one time or another, everyone had that element of childlike innocence. "You could be beautiful again". Its [somewhat] possible, he's saying to return to that beauty
its about purity and holiness before God, I think this is actually from the viewpoint of God, Jesus said to enter the kingdom of Heaven we have to become like children, we don't have to grow up but grow down in the sense of purity and innocence, or holiness , against sin, but the girl took her eyes of her relationship with God the Father, she was enticed by all this other things, the spirit of this age, the things of this world. She was looking for fulfillment and love in all the wrong places, when God who is love is the one she needs and can only be mended and made whole thru Him and Jesus. I also agree with what thesweetcatastrophe said, she can return to that place of innocence and purity and holiness(it's all tied in 2gether), that is true beauty, it is the heart, the inside out, true beauty is holiness and innocence. I think people can sorta get wut i'm trying 2 say
i've known girls like this. i've known guys like this, myself included. i remember their pure smiles and their eager eyes, their simple beauty. i've seen worldliness wash away their innocence. But God is waiting for you, 'you could be beautiful again'!
"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. " -Matthew 18:2-4