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 can't recall that last day of sun
Curtains closed and sitting with the lights out
An uncertain emptiness surrounds me
I'm numb and my judgments have switched to autopilot
Nothing left but echoes and thoughts of moving on
Don't stay but don't stay here.
Tell me all your secrets
I promise I'll be listening and if you ever come back home I'll be waiting, patiently
Tell me nothing sacred, I promise I wont hear a work and if you ever come back home.
I wont act so patiently
Black feathers and an unannounced call,
These things go hand in hand, [Repeat: x2]
Like talking to you and the intake of glass
I hope this knife in my hand
Speaks for itself, [Repeat: x2]
She's not coming back
[Repeat: x2]
Don't stay but don't stay here.
Tell me all your secrets
I promise I'll be listening and if you ever come back home I'll be waiting, patiently
Tell me nothing sacred, I promise I wont hear a work and if you ever come back home.
I wont act so patiently
Curtains closed and sitting with the lights out
An uncertain emptiness surrounds me
I'm numb and my judgments have switched to autopilot
Nothing left but echoes and thoughts of moving on
Don't stay but don't stay here.
Tell me all your secrets
I promise I'll be listening and if you ever come back home I'll be waiting, patiently
Tell me nothing sacred, I promise I wont hear a work and if you ever come back home.
I wont act so patiently
Black feathers and an unannounced call,
These things go hand in hand, [Repeat: x2]
Like talking to you and the intake of glass
I hope this knife in my hand
Speaks for itself, [Repeat: x2]
She's not coming back
[Repeat: x2]
Don't stay but don't stay here.
Tell me all your secrets
I promise I'll be listening and if you ever come back home I'll be waiting, patiently
Tell me nothing sacred, I promise I wont hear a work and if you ever come back home.
I wont act so patiently
Lyrics submitted by xianmeltonx
...Discipline Your Daughters Lyrics as written by Cory Brandan Putman Cron
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
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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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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"like talking to you and the intake of glass"
AH! a reference to their song from O'God The Aftermath titled "Characantula: Talking to you and the intake of glass"
I love it