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.
Couldn't you wait
For some time to elapse
Check it before the trap was set
And it collapsed like a
Big net grass green rug screen wait
Did you test the water with a big toe dip
Don't put all your trust in that triple-timing bitch
Could you elaborate
On how you tempt fate
Couldn't you wait
Couldn't you wait
To go on your foggy trips
You were in the corner doing back flips
I saw sweat on the wheelchair grips slip
Couldn't you wait
You never cooked up your medicine then
Said the aspirin made your thick blood thin
Every dinner was a capricorn a crown of thorns
Couldn't you wait
Yeah couldn't you wait
You were funny to a fault
Went too heavy on the salt
Can you stand up straight
While I illuminate a few of your flaws
I thought you said you would never get your teeth capped
How would you like to get your face slapped
Did it hurt to take the time to make the new girl happy as a clam
In a pair of tight 501s
Is your fresh-faced neighbor any fun at all
Do you still go off
Like a gun that's gotten stuck on stun
That's permanently stalled
Do you still think you're god
Is your first day on the job even over yet
Is the summertime in heaven grand
Is it fifty-nine past the eleven hand
Oh couldn't you wait
For the midnight train at least
All these seagulls are insane beasts
The taste of trouble's in my mouth
It's like a candy cane
Couldn't you wait
Until the thought had passed
That our love would never last
How could you devastate
Someone you claim not to hate
And couldn't you have waited
Couldn't you have waited
Couldn't you have waited
Couldn't you wait
Lyrics submitted by schimmy
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Gay guy's boyfriend leaves him for a straight woman, right?
First off, there are the allusions to love (obvious) and sex ("Do you still go off/like a gun that's gotten stuck on stun") involving the (male) singer and the (presumably male) object of the song.
Then there are the allusions to sex between the object of the song and another woman...
"Did it hurt to take the time to make the new girl happy as a clam/In a pair of tight 501s" (clam = slang for female genitalia, of course)
...and the statements expressing suspicion/dislike of women/heterosexuals...
"Don't put all your trust in that triple-timing bitch" "These straight girls are insane beasts"
Epic song, whatever the case.