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.
Dusty and you are, dirty from chain
Lips of your kisses are sticking like tape
Woke you at sunrise, cold as a grave
I'll cut you some flowers, now don't be afraid
Now don't be afraid
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
Home by the river, tall grass and fields,
Pond of willow oak, well for to kneel
Dusty O Dusty, decision night, don't be so pretty,
All laced up in white, all laced up in white
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Lips of your kisses are sticking like tape
Woke you at sunrise, cold as a grave
I'll cut you some flowers, now don't be afraid
Now don't be afraid
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
Home by the river, tall grass and fields,
Pond of willow oak, well for to kneel
Dusty O Dusty, decision night, don't be so pretty,
All laced up in white, all laced up in white
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
I'm looking for something, just sink in my teeth without any crying
But I can't find no place or nothing,
Where thrills are cheap and love is divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this reminds me of that pat benatar lyric (i thin it's pat benatar) "i need a lover that won't drive me crazy. someone to thrill me, and then go away." he wants passion without the risk of getting hurt.
haha, don't we all?
This song is overtly about doing cocaine. You're all fools.
for along time i thought this song was about some girl but the other night i was watchin F.B.I. files and it was about this serial killing rapist who called himself dusty.
I think Dusty is dead, his girlfriend...and i reckon he killed her because he loves her too much and there are other guys here and there and he's scared she'll leave him...so he kills her so she wont'e leave him...and now he's scared of relationships and wants a few stands...and doesnt know how to get them...and he cant be assed really...its probably all wrong but i think thats what its about.
This song made me cry he is such a beautiful singer and its so slow and sad...im no sentimental sucker either...
i love the line "home by the river, tall grass and fields,pond of willow oak well for to kneel" the imagery of that line is up there with pistol of fire and joes head. At the end when caleb sings "her thrills are cheap and love devine" it so beautiful.
but I can't no place or nothing, where thrills are cheap, and love is divine. I love how that line stays in your head long after the song ends.
It is pretty damn good, mind... Their lyrics are so inspired. And disturbing but touching. King of Leon are so amazing.
I think its about finding a girl to have sex with without any attachments. For example, a girl you meet backstage and hook up with; she wants to marry you while you assumed it was just a one night stand.
hmm this one can mean so many things but all in all it does sound like a verrrry beautiful story - melancholy yet beautiful...monas not the only sentimental sucker i still cry every time i hear it heehee :'(
Stay cool
i always thought it was "this is your night, youll be so pretty laced up in white"