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.
Go on and pull yourself up
We climb, we climb, we climb, we climb
Down there they get you, down there
Again and again, forever and ever
Go on and give it a tug
Go on, pull up, I know it's tough
But down there it's deeper than deep
That hole is so steep
And things are heavier
Hear it now, the night is calling us
Wave your hands and summon the spirits up
Tonight, tonight, tonight
we raise the dead!
The dark is plaguing our hearts
Pumping through us and collecting in our deepest parts
Well down there it's dripping like tar
And it's stuck to your arms
And it's sticking to you too long
The time is higher than high
Something lurking in your shadow that keeps trying to hide
Oh no, want it alive
To get out, to get out, to get out of your insides
Hear it now the night is calling us
Wave your hands and summon the spirits up
Tonight, tonight, tonight
we raise the dead!
Go on and pull yourself up, up, up
Go on, pull up, I know it's tough
But down there they get you, down there
Again and again
Forever and ever
Hear it now, the night is calling us
Wave your hands and summon the spirits up
Tonight, tonight, tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight
we raise the dead!
We climb, we climb, we climb, we climb
Down there they get you, down there
Again and again, forever and ever
Go on and give it a tug
Go on, pull up, I know it's tough
But down there it's deeper than deep
That hole is so steep
And things are heavier
Hear it now, the night is calling us
Wave your hands and summon the spirits up
Tonight, tonight, tonight
we raise the dead!
The dark is plaguing our hearts
Pumping through us and collecting in our deepest parts
Well down there it's dripping like tar
And it's stuck to your arms
And it's sticking to you too long
The time is higher than high
Something lurking in your shadow that keeps trying to hide
Oh no, want it alive
To get out, to get out, to get out of your insides
Hear it now the night is calling us
Wave your hands and summon the spirits up
Tonight, tonight, tonight
we raise the dead!
Go on and pull yourself up, up, up
Go on, pull up, I know it's tough
But down there they get you, down there
Again and again
Forever and ever
Hear it now, the night is calling us
Wave your hands and summon the spirits up
Tonight, tonight, tonight
Tonight, tonight, tonight
we raise the dead!
Lyrics submitted by RaiseTheDead
Raise the Dead Lyrics as written by Alexander Greenwald
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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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,
Also, Jeff says this about the song "Raise the Dead was a song that Alex wrote about halfway through the recording process that the band immediately embraced. It felt like a call to arms when we needed it the most. I think we were a little lost and this song united us and brought focus to the album.