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.
The dead man came calling
My name and in need
Said "Betty, you're my girl
The strongest I've seen".
But oh, my heart
Is heading to break.
They say God forgives,
But I can't learn the same.
Said Betty- she's fine
And Betty- she's torn
And Betty makes love
Like woman, at all.
But oh, my heart
Is heading to break.
They say God forgives,
But I can't learn the same.
So I gave him my time,
And I gave him my peace,
And I gave him my heart,
Gave it to keep.
But oh, my eyes
Making fools out of me.
They say love is blindness (They say God forgives)
I could no longer see (But I can't learn the same)
Now I've no more to give,
And I've no more to say,
And the stars shine less bright now,
Over this dead man's bay.
But oh, my heart
Is heading to break.
They say God forgives,
Is this love in the grave?
They say God forgives,
Is this love in the grave?
My name and in need
Said "Betty, you're my girl
The strongest I've seen".
But oh, my heart
Is heading to break.
They say God forgives,
But I can't learn the same.
Said Betty- she's fine
And Betty- she's torn
And Betty makes love
Like woman, at all.
But oh, my heart
Is heading to break.
They say God forgives,
But I can't learn the same.
So I gave him my time,
And I gave him my peace,
And I gave him my heart,
Gave it to keep.
But oh, my eyes
Making fools out of me.
They say love is blindness (They say God forgives)
I could no longer see (But I can't learn the same)
Now I've no more to give,
And I've no more to say,
And the stars shine less bright now,
Over this dead man's bay.
But oh, my heart
Is heading to break.
They say God forgives,
Is this love in the grave?
They say God forgives,
Is this love in the grave?
Lyrics submitted by stentorian
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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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i always get the impression that the narrator, the titular betty, is suposed to be a trans woman ("betty you're my girl/the strongest i've seen", "and betty makes love/like woman at all") which to me just adds to the general uneasy feeling of hopelessness and tragedy which permeates the song a bluesy, nick cave-esque pearl of a piece, and album, in a body of work full of it