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.
Well the street lights shine
Down on Blessing Avenue
Lovers they walk by
Holdin' hands two by two
A breeze crosses the porch
Bicycle spokes spin 'round
Jacket's on, I'm out the door
Tonight I'm gonna burn this town down
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
Kid's rubber ball smacks
Off the gutter 'neath the lamp light
Big bank clock chimes
Off go the sleepy front porch lights
Downtown the store's alive
As the evening's underway
Things been a little tight
But I know they're gonna turn my way
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
Frankie's Diner's
Over on the edge of town
Neon sign spinnin' round
Like a cross over the lost and found
Fluorescent lights
Flicker above Bob's Grill
Shaniqua brings a coffee and asks "fill?"
And says "penny for your thoughts now my boy Bill"
She went away
She cut me like a knife
Hello beautiful thing
Maybe you could save my life
In just a glance
Down here on Magic Street
Love's a fool's dance
I ain't got much sense but I still got my feet
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
La la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la
Down on Blessing Avenue
Lovers they walk by
Holdin' hands two by two
A breeze crosses the porch
Bicycle spokes spin 'round
Jacket's on, I'm out the door
Tonight I'm gonna burn this town down
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
Kid's rubber ball smacks
Off the gutter 'neath the lamp light
Big bank clock chimes
Off go the sleepy front porch lights
Downtown the store's alive
As the evening's underway
Things been a little tight
But I know they're gonna turn my way
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
Frankie's Diner's
Over on the edge of town
Neon sign spinnin' round
Like a cross over the lost and found
Fluorescent lights
Flicker above Bob's Grill
Shaniqua brings a coffee and asks "fill?"
And says "penny for your thoughts now my boy Bill"
She went away
She cut me like a knife
Hello beautiful thing
Maybe you could save my life
In just a glance
Down here on Magic Street
Love's a fool's dance
I ain't got much sense but I still got my feet
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
And the girls in their summer clothes
In the cool of the evening light
The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by
La la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la la la la
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I think this song is about Bruce. And a lot of guys his age.
It is the feeling of knwoing the journey is over, and you have arrived at the place you're gone stay. Life was good,and you have good memories. But also their were hardtimes, but you managed to survive and recover.
Now, on those evenings were summer is ending, you put on your jacket when you go for a walk. Young people don't wear this, youth keeps them warm. And as you walk around, the joy of life from the young bring back the warm memories and feeling. And you enjoy it, but are no longer a part of it. So you go their were nothing has changed for years, and the need for change is not felt. You think about your problems, but have the expierience to trust you will manage them, so they don't bring you down. Soon you will walk back home, and leave the night to the young.
But always in a distance, when you hear the laughs, the cars and smell the autum sky, you wonder: Is the journey over, or will this proof to become a good memory too?