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 like the way you're not afraid
You've got the world planned in your mind
People say you cannot do it
But they don?t know a friend like you
The girl you love has gone away
Still too young to know her heart
She'll return her love renewed
Cause she'll never find a friend like you
When I had no one to call
All the world had shut me down
I showed up at your door so blue
Thank God I had a friend like you
Any times I've gone without
A home, a meal, a pair of shoes
If you had three you'd give me two
There ain't no other friend like you
You've got the world planned in your mind
People say you cannot do it
But they don?t know a friend like you
The girl you love has gone away
Still too young to know her heart
She'll return her love renewed
Cause she'll never find a friend like you
When I had no one to call
All the world had shut me down
I showed up at your door so blue
Thank God I had a friend like you
Any times I've gone without
A home, a meal, a pair of shoes
If you had three you'd give me two
There ain't no other friend like you
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
To me this seems to be someone who just has someone who will be there for them, always. He seems to be singing in this verse to someone: The girl you love has gone away Still too young to know her heart She'll return her love renewed 'Cause she'll never find a friend like you
i think he's saying that his friend's gf/ lover has left him but if he stays a friend and stays beside her as a friend, she will find her heart and see that the best lover is a friend.