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.
I took a plane
I took a train
(Ah, who cares, you always end up in the city)
I said to Carl
look up for one
(See just how the sun sets in the sky)
I said to Jon
Do you think the girls here
(Ever wonder how they got so pretty?)
Oh well I do
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
All the boys
with their home-made microphones
(Have very interesting sounds)
All the girls falling to ruin
dropping out of school, breakin' daddy's heart
(Just to hang around)
I walked into the local record store
and asked for an American music anthology
It sounds fun
They tore my skirt, then
Stuck it on the walls at PS 1
I took a plane
I took a train
(Ah, who cares, you always end up in the city)
Stranded at Bleecker and Broadway
Looking for something to do
Someone somewhere asked me is there anything in particular I can help you with?
(All I ever want to help with was you)
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
I took a train
(Ah, who cares, you always end up in the city)
I said to Carl
look up for one
(See just how the sun sets in the sky)
I said to Jon
Do you think the girls here
(Ever wonder how they got so pretty?)
Oh well I do
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
All the boys
with their home-made microphones
(Have very interesting sounds)
All the girls falling to ruin
dropping out of school, breakin' daddy's heart
(Just to hang around)
I walked into the local record store
and asked for an American music anthology
It sounds fun
They tore my skirt, then
Stuck it on the walls at PS 1
I took a plane
I took a train
(Ah, who cares, you always end up in the city)
Stranded at Bleecker and Broadway
Looking for something to do
Someone somewhere asked me is there anything in particular I can help you with?
(All I ever want to help with was you)
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Look out upon the Myriad Harbour
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Dan Bejar. Yes, he does sound pretty feminine in this song. (but Kathryn?!)
(from their website) "In this song, Dan urges me to 'look up for once and see just how the sun sets in the sky.' Two songs later, I sing that 'there is something unguided in the sky tonight.' Coincidence?"
So he's talking to Carl in the second verse, could he be talking to John (Collins) in the third?
Just a thought.