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.
Mr. Sandman showing his beam
When he walks into the room the walls lean in to listen
Surfed out brain waves flick back and forth
Like old headlights sniffing model glue again
Head like a steel trap
Wish I didn't, I didn't, I didn't
I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't
I don't just want to be a footnote
In someone else's happiness
Does your husband know the way
That the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?
Does he know the way? Does he know the way
Of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night?
I will never end up like him
Behind my back I already am
Keep a calendar, this way you will always know
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
The last time you came through
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Tempest in a teacup, get unique
Peroxide princes shine like shark teeth
It's a sign (it's a sign)
It's a sign (it's a sign)
It's a sign, what if you peaked early?
And does your husband know the way
That the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?
Does he know the way? Does he know the way
Of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night?
Does he? Does he know the way I worship our love?
Does your husband know the way
That the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?
But I will never end up like him
Behind my back I already am
Keep a calendar, this way you will always know
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
The last time you came through
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Oh, does your husband know?
Does your husband know?
Does your husband know?
Does he know? Does he know? does he know? Oh, oh, oh
But I will never end up like him
Behind my back I already am
Keep a calendar, this way you will always know
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
When he walks into the room the walls lean in to listen
Surfed out brain waves flick back and forth
Like old headlights sniffing model glue again
Head like a steel trap
Wish I didn't, I didn't, I didn't
I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't
I don't just want to be a footnote
In someone else's happiness
Does your husband know the way
That the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?
Does he know the way? Does he know the way
Of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night?
I will never end up like him
Behind my back I already am
Keep a calendar, this way you will always know
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
The last time you came through
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Tempest in a teacup, get unique
Peroxide princes shine like shark teeth
It's a sign (it's a sign)
It's a sign (it's a sign)
It's a sign, what if you peaked early?
And does your husband know the way
That the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?
Does he know the way? Does he know the way
Of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night?
Does he? Does he know the way I worship our love?
Does your husband know the way
That the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?
But I will never end up like him
Behind my back I already am
Keep a calendar, this way you will always know
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
The last time you came through
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Oh, darling
Oh, does your husband know?
Does your husband know?
Does your husband know?
Does he know? Does he know? does he know? Oh, oh, oh
But I will never end up like him
Behind my back I already am
Keep a calendar, this way you will always know
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
The last time you came through
Oh, darling, I know what you're going through
Lyrics submitted by xkitty4lifex, edited by Mellow_Harsher, ThatFeelWhen, RedOnesMakeMeFly
Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet Lyrics as written by Joseph Trohman Andrew Hurley
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Mr. Sandman showing his beam, when he walks into the room the walls lean in to listen Surf out blank waves, clicking back and forth like old headlights, - the sandman thing is a refrence to losing sleep again. hence he's surfing out blank waves... channel surfing. clicking through the channels light up the room like old headlights. almost anyone with insomnia has been there. late at night when its nothing but bad t.v. yet you keep surfing.
sniffing bottled you again. - Sniffing her perfume, thinking of her, or if the song does say glue i would guess like getting high from the thought of her, or feeling high from lack of sleep
Head like a steel trap, wish I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I didn't, I don't... Just want to be a footnote in someone else's happiness. - wishing he wasnt just a side to her happiness when the marriage is her full course.
Does your husband know the way that the sunshine gleams from your wedding band? - i thinnk this could be either him feeling guilty, but perhaps with a touch of "Does he notice all the small things that i love?"
Does he know the way, does he know the way of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night? - ummm im between what was said before about it being A. a lack of talking and taking his cue to leave or B. jimminy cricket. a conciounse.
I will never end up like him Behind my back, I already am. - technically isnt she already cheating on him with her husband?
Keep a calendar, this way you will always know.
The last time you came through, - knowing the last time she came and saw the speaker.
Oh darling, I know what you're going through. - maybe he tells her he hates the thought of her with him and shes telling him she hates it and that the sneaking around is driving her crazy too.
The last time you came through, Oh darling, oh darling, oh darling... - her words running through his head.
Tempest in a teacup, - like a big thing in a small package? Get unique. Peroxide Princess shine like shark teeth - maybe that it burns? It's a sign, (it's a sign) It's a sign, (it's a sign) It's a sign, what if you peaked early. - maybe their relationship or her marriage coming to an end or peaking early. im not sure, i have trouble with this verse.
Does your husband know the way that the sunshine gleams from your wedding band? Does he know the way, does he know the way of the crickets that would convince me to call it a night?
Does he, does he know the way to worship our love? - once again a "Does he love you the way i love you?" Does your husband know the way that the sunshine gleams from your wedding band?
Well, I will never end up like him. Behind my back, I already am. Keep a calendar, this way you will always know.
Last time you came through, Oh darling, I know what you're going through. Last time you came through, Oh darling, oh darling, oh darling...
Does your husband know? Does your husband know? Does your husband know? Oh oh oh, whoa-oh... Does he know? Does he know, does he know? Whoa-ah-ah-ah-ah, oh oh, oh
I will never end up like him. Behind my back I already am. Keep a calendar, this way you will always know.
Oh, the last time you came through, Oh darling, I know what you're going through. The last time you came through, Oh, darling I know what you're going through.
Cunla567 This makes so
Cunla567 This makes so much sense. He can't sleep and he channel surfs late at night. <br /> <br /> Then he smells her perfume<br /> <br /> Head like a steel trap - thoughts of her are stuck in his head. speaker knows husband is cheating but can't do anything about it.<br /> <br /> Just want to be a footnote in someone else's happiness <br />
@Cunla567 the part about the crickets I would say is about the speaker being obsessed and stalking her or her husband