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.
I've been sold down the river
And I've been told that Jesus delivers
But don't believe everything that you bleed
It may mean nothing to you
But it means something to me
I got sidetracked and rearranged
And like a leper, I've been estranged
And drawn to fame like a moth to a flame
Living hand to mouth but I'm hoping for change
I've been drowning in the Queen's tears
I've been staring at a square face in the mirror for years
She feels like water and she tastes like wind
And her fire burns hotter when the night rolls in
You've been a saint, I've been a sinner
You're a fat cat, I'm getting thinner
I'm having trouble telling wrong from right
These slippery handshakes that keep me awake at night
Oh, I think you've seen me before
You had your eyes on mine 'cause your grass don't grow
This ain't a song, it's a call to arms
There's a gathering storm, better sound the alarm
I've been drowning in the Queen's tears
I've been staring at a square face in the mirror for years
She feels like water and she tastes like wind
And her fire burns hotter when the night rolls in
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
Up sister, keep your head on
Living in the past but the past is gone
Up sister, can you hear?
That the future is here, the future is here now
Up sister, keep your head on
Living in the past but the past is gone
Up sister, come clean
It's a slippery slope and you're the avalanche queen
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
And I've been told that Jesus delivers
But don't believe everything that you bleed
It may mean nothing to you
But it means something to me
I got sidetracked and rearranged
And like a leper, I've been estranged
And drawn to fame like a moth to a flame
Living hand to mouth but I'm hoping for change
I've been drowning in the Queen's tears
I've been staring at a square face in the mirror for years
She feels like water and she tastes like wind
And her fire burns hotter when the night rolls in
You've been a saint, I've been a sinner
You're a fat cat, I'm getting thinner
I'm having trouble telling wrong from right
These slippery handshakes that keep me awake at night
Oh, I think you've seen me before
You had your eyes on mine 'cause your grass don't grow
This ain't a song, it's a call to arms
There's a gathering storm, better sound the alarm
I've been drowning in the Queen's tears
I've been staring at a square face in the mirror for years
She feels like water and she tastes like wind
And her fire burns hotter when the night rolls in
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
Up sister, keep your head on
Living in the past but the past is gone
Up sister, can you hear?
That the future is here, the future is here now
Up sister, keep your head on
Living in the past but the past is gone
Up sister, come clean
It's a slippery slope and you're the avalanche queen
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
None of your friends ever know what to say
'Cause what you wish for tomorrow, you could have today
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think the line "I've been drowning in the Queen's tears" refers to Canada still technically being a colony of the U.K..