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.
Poor boy,
You played it cool with the rich boys
You messed around with their rich toys
You tried so hard to play it smooth
The page turned to the chapter with the best line
You thought the book was never-ending
You thought you'd get to drink their wine
Your sister came down from Watertown with the message:
''Your twisted head is getting messed with
I can see it in your eyes
Left out
You couldn't wait to be bought out
So you went ahead and sold out
With your twenty-dollar lies''
And she said,
''Don't forget, sister
She'll always be true
We come from a good home
That won't forget you''
Drowning in a city filled with blue blood
Can't you see your blood is thicker?
You don't need that fancy car
Locked up in the middle of a sick dream
So give up your fascination
And remember who you are
So don't forget, sister
She'll always be true
We come from a good home
That won't forget you
Burned out like a candle
Now I've gone out
Getting asked a lot of questions
But my answers are all wrong
I need you
Give tomorrow to be with you
Show me where I need to run to
But the truth is that you're gone
So don't forget, sister
She'll always be true
We come from a good home
That won't forget you
So I won't forget, sister
I'll always be true
'Cause we came from a good home
And I won't forget you
Sister, take me away with you
Sister, take me away with you
Sister, take me away with you
Sister, take me away with you
You played it cool with the rich boys
You messed around with their rich toys
You tried so hard to play it smooth
The page turned to the chapter with the best line
You thought the book was never-ending
You thought you'd get to drink their wine
Your sister came down from Watertown with the message:
''Your twisted head is getting messed with
I can see it in your eyes
Left out
You couldn't wait to be bought out
So you went ahead and sold out
With your twenty-dollar lies''
And she said,
''Don't forget, sister
She'll always be true
We come from a good home
That won't forget you''
Drowning in a city filled with blue blood
Can't you see your blood is thicker?
You don't need that fancy car
Locked up in the middle of a sick dream
So give up your fascination
And remember who you are
So don't forget, sister
She'll always be true
We come from a good home
That won't forget you
Burned out like a candle
Now I've gone out
Getting asked a lot of questions
But my answers are all wrong
I need you
Give tomorrow to be with you
Show me where I need to run to
But the truth is that you're gone
So don't forget, sister
She'll always be true
We come from a good home
That won't forget you
So I won't forget, sister
I'll always be true
'Cause we came from a good home
And I won't forget you
Sister, take me away with you
Sister, take me away with you
Sister, take me away with you
Sister, take me away with you
Lyrics submitted by CheapWine
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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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she is referring to herself when she says "sister," as if to say "don't forget me, your sister."
great song. it actually tells a story. it reminds me of the prodigal son.