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.
In my head I am already gone
Side roads boarded up, decisions decided on
But in my nights there are restless hours
When three A-M comes down and nothing else comes up
And the only thing we know
Is it's getting dark and we'd better go
And the only thing we see
Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I'm all right to drive
And in my heart I'm the weary kind
I'm much tired to cry
Though it's sad enough for tears
It's been try, fail, try for years
And when the next year comes along
I don't know if I'll be home
I don't know if we'll survive
And the only thing we know
Is it's getting dark and we'd better go
And the only thing we see
Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I'm all right to drive
And we're much too young of men
To carry such heavy heads
And tonight for the first time
It felt good to be alive
Yeah, we're much too young of men
To carry such heavy heads
And tonight for the first time
It felt good to be alive again, my friend
Only thing we know
It's getting dark and we'd better go
And the only thing we see
Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I'm all right to drive
Side roads boarded up, decisions decided on
But in my nights there are restless hours
When three A-M comes down and nothing else comes up
And the only thing we know
Is it's getting dark and we'd better go
And the only thing we see
Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I'm all right to drive
And in my heart I'm the weary kind
I'm much tired to cry
Though it's sad enough for tears
It's been try, fail, try for years
And when the next year comes along
I don't know if I'll be home
I don't know if we'll survive
And the only thing we know
Is it's getting dark and we'd better go
And the only thing we see
Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I'm all right to drive
And we're much too young of men
To carry such heavy heads
And tonight for the first time
It felt good to be alive
Yeah, we're much too young of men
To carry such heavy heads
And tonight for the first time
It felt good to be alive again, my friend
Only thing we know
It's getting dark and we'd better go
And the only thing we see
Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I
And if you're too tired
Go to sleep my brothers, I'm all right to drive
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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,
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Lyric correction: "Though it's sad enough for tears, it's been try, fail, try for years." Although until I read the booklet, I thought it was "it's been dropping dry for years." Haha.
To me, this is one of they're best songs. I am surprised no one else has commented on it. Great sing along chorus.
their
I think of a road trip every time i hear this song. beautiful.
No more comments??? I love this song, especially the line:
"And tonight for the first time, it felt good to be alive"
I've been feeling that way a lot recently, life is good.
To me, I definitely see a sort of coming of age inspiration here. Reminds me of high school graduation, really. But, when I first heard the song, the chorus and outro were the only parts that stuck with me, so it just reminded me of a road trip then.
"In my head I am already gone. Side roads boarded up, Decisions decided on. But in my nights there are restless hours. When 3 A.M. comes down, And nothing else comes up."
I've known plenty of seniors who have all these plans in their heads, and will usually talk about them, but there's definitely a sort of restlessness.
"And in my heart I'm the wary kind. I'm much too tired to cry. Though it's sad enough for tears, It's been try fail hard for years. And when the next year comes along, I don't know if I'll be home. I don't know if I'll survive."
And this verse would the best example for a coming of age/graduation interpretation.
In my head I am already gone Side road pointed home Decisions decided on
But in my nights There are restless hours 3 AM goes down Nothing else comes up
And the only thing we know Is it's getting dark and we better go And the only thing we say Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers, I And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers I'm alright to drive
But in my heart I'm the weary kind I'm much too tired to cry Though it's sad enough for tears It's been dropping dry for years When the next year comes along I don't know if I'll be home I don't know if we'll survive
And the only thing we know Is it's getting dark and we better go And the only thing we say Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers, I And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers I'm alright to drive
And we're much too young of men To carry such heavy heads And tonight for the first time It felt good to be alive And we're much too young of men To carry such heavy heads And tonight for the first time It felt good to be alive again, my friend
The only thing we know Is it's getting dark and we better go And the only thing we say Are the despairs of the day
And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers, I And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers, I And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers, I And if you're too tired Go to sleep, my brothers I'm alright to drive
He's a designated driver. He's alright to drive.