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.
Baby you’ve got me thinkin’
Bout the things I left behind
A suitcase in Helsinki
Full of things I wanna set on fire
For I realise that you’ve been lying
And no matter how hard I try
I won’t be able to forget this
‘Cause this buried deep inside
Meaning what I left behind
What I left behind
Left behind
What I left behind
So I’m gonna fly back to Helsinki
and even stay there for a while
Gonna get my things back
Gonna get some fun
And drink til I pass out
Gonna jump on to the table
And dance my ass off til I die
And then I’ll hopefully forget you
And quit those nightmares I’ve been having
Every night, every day
It’s the same so hard to explain
1 million pounds won’t be enough
To make me stare back at your face
That’s what I left behind, left behind
What I left behind, left behind
Left behind, what I left behind
Left behind
Every night, every day
It’s the same so hard to explain
1 million pounds won’t be enough
To make me stare back at your face
Baby you’ve got me thinkin’
Baby you’ve got me thinkin’
Baby you’ve got me thinkin’
About the things I left behind
A suitcase in Helsinki
Full of things I wanna set on fire
I’m gonna jump on to the table
And dance my ass off til I die
And then I’ll hopefully forget you
And quit those nightmares I’ve been having
Every night, every day
It’s the same so hard to explain
1 million pounds won’t be enough
To make me stare back at your face (x2)
That’s what I left behind
Bout the things I left behind
A suitcase in Helsinki
Full of things I wanna set on fire
For I realise that you’ve been lying
And no matter how hard I try
I won’t be able to forget this
‘Cause this buried deep inside
Meaning what I left behind
What I left behind
Left behind
What I left behind
So I’m gonna fly back to Helsinki
and even stay there for a while
Gonna get my things back
Gonna get some fun
And drink til I pass out
Gonna jump on to the table
And dance my ass off til I die
And then I’ll hopefully forget you
And quit those nightmares I’ve been having
Every night, every day
It’s the same so hard to explain
1 million pounds won’t be enough
To make me stare back at your face
That’s what I left behind, left behind
What I left behind, left behind
Left behind, what I left behind
Left behind
Every night, every day
It’s the same so hard to explain
1 million pounds won’t be enough
To make me stare back at your face
Baby you’ve got me thinkin’
Baby you’ve got me thinkin’
Baby you’ve got me thinkin’
About the things I left behind
A suitcase in Helsinki
Full of things I wanna set on fire
I’m gonna jump on to the table
And dance my ass off til I die
And then I’ll hopefully forget you
And quit those nightmares I’ve been having
Every night, every day
It’s the same so hard to explain
1 million pounds won’t be enough
To make me stare back at your face (x2)
That’s what I left behind
Lyrics submitted by to_x_to
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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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Pretty sure it's "And /quit/ those nightmares i've been having" Awesome song, bit different from CSS but still good.
I see this song as the obvious, getting over a break-up by going somewhere and basically having a good time, even if the relationship does still haunt them.
ha! thanks, dont really know i got that wrong, now that i listen to it again XD.
I'm dissapointed at all the negative reviews about Donkey, while i agree it's not as good as their first album, they still are putting out very catchy, fun songs.
I agree about the meaning of this song as well, getting over a relationship blah blah blah.
i like donkey tbh. in fact, maybe i even prefer the new style. idk. but yeah, i think it's about forgetting an ex, the break up and the relationship. and the best way to do that of course is just to have a good time and not sit around moping. :) great song IMO.