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.
And if you follow me, son
The wind'll wrap around you
Carry you from the ground
You will never be alone
Your weight will turn to sunlight
That's falling on a girl
Who's still outside the world
She's reading books from empty women
They're giving beauty tips from empty hips
And how is the water of the rain?
And how is the air of the wind?
And how are the arms of your mother?
She's holding you in
Watch them as they try to fly their kites inside their bedrooms
That were only built for drinking
Your thoughts, they never lasted long when you were under the sky
Above it you can hold a thought forever
And how is the water of the rain?
And how is the air of the wind?
And how are the arms of your mother?
She's holding you in
And how is the water of the rain?
And how is the air of the wind?
And how are the arms of your mother?
She's holding you in
She's holding you in (hey, hey, hey)
She's holding you in (hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
The wind'll wrap around you
Carry you from the ground
You will never be alone
Your weight will turn to sunlight
That's falling on a girl
Who's still outside the world
She's reading books from empty women
They're giving beauty tips from empty hips
And how is the water of the rain?
And how is the air of the wind?
And how are the arms of your mother?
She's holding you in
Watch them as they try to fly their kites inside their bedrooms
That were only built for drinking
Your thoughts, they never lasted long when you were under the sky
Above it you can hold a thought forever
And how is the water of the rain?
And how is the air of the wind?
And how are the arms of your mother?
She's holding you in
And how is the water of the rain?
And how is the air of the wind?
And how are the arms of your mother?
She's holding you in
She's holding you in (hey, hey, hey)
She's holding you in (hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
(Hey, hey, hey)
Lyrics submitted by SuperSista, edited by El_Lobo, Antip0p
Son Lyrics as written by Bryan Devendorf Aaron Dessner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I started seriously listening to this song after my Mum died. So could be biased and/or deranged in my intepretation! I think it's a song about someone who's died who's still looking out for the girl still alive. It reminds me of the six gram puff out that I reckon really does happen when when someone dies...the opposite of birth. Or birth on the other side. Who knows. But weight turning to sunlight is beautiful, and really resonates.
I think also - and really this could be my personal experience and bias - is the girl still inside the world is wasting her time on bloody chic lit (insert vomit noise...and it's a chick writing), which is so vacuous and reductivist (of women I reckon...but I won't get started!). Their beauty tips, their banality, stupid emaciated hips.
At any rate, it was a gift to me when I was grieving.
On the note so much front - a gift I mean - and just 'cause I go like the clappers on a keyboard and am on a roll now, it always made me remember my ex, when one of his mates was hanging it on his home made sissy jumper, asking over and over if his Mum had made it, when he said she couldn't knit. The why not retort was, 'because her arms have rotted off'. Anyway, so when Matt asks, 'so how are the arms of your mother' - up there in heaven, meeting her again, I always think of that. Just thought I'd share.
:-)