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.
The daughter's father watches, quietly we assume
He's no longer with us, but he left this dusty room
And your name and it's an honor
It's a shame but it's your honor
To take it on your shoulder
'Till you can find another
That's enough for now
He should have never left you broken
He should have held you
Things your father never could do
That's enough for now
He would have never left you broken
He would have held you
Things your father never told you
The century before you, never could turn twenty-one
Years and years he waited, just watching for a son
Someone to go ahead, to take the name instead
Years and years he waited, and a daughter came instead, but
That's enough for now
He should have never left you broken
He should have held you
Things your father never could do
That's enough for now
He would have never left you broken
He would have held you
Things your father never told you
Breathing comes in pairs
Except for twice
One begins and one's goodbye
Sixty years of sorrow, he got five or six of bliss
Left my mothers' mother
Without so much as a kiss
As a kiss
But that's enough for now
He never wanted to leave you broken
He would have held you
Things your father never told you
That's enough for now
I would have never left you broken
I would have held you
Words your father never told you
Sixty years of sorrow, you got five or six of bliss
Left my mother's mother
Without so much as a kiss.
He's no longer with us, but he left this dusty room
And your name and it's an honor
It's a shame but it's your honor
To take it on your shoulder
'Till you can find another
That's enough for now
He should have never left you broken
He should have held you
Things your father never could do
That's enough for now
He would have never left you broken
He would have held you
Things your father never told you
The century before you, never could turn twenty-one
Years and years he waited, just watching for a son
Someone to go ahead, to take the name instead
Years and years he waited, and a daughter came instead, but
That's enough for now
He should have never left you broken
He should have held you
Things your father never could do
That's enough for now
He would have never left you broken
He would have held you
Things your father never told you
Breathing comes in pairs
Except for twice
One begins and one's goodbye
Sixty years of sorrow, he got five or six of bliss
Left my mothers' mother
Without so much as a kiss
As a kiss
But that's enough for now
He never wanted to leave you broken
He would have held you
Things your father never told you
That's enough for now
I would have never left you broken
I would have held you
Words your father never told you
Sixty years of sorrow, you got five or six of bliss
Left my mother's mother
Without so much as a kiss.
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i took my fathers last name when i was born (in your name and it's an honor) now he's gone and i have a lot of anger towards him (it's a shame but its your honor) i have to deal with it (take it on your shoulder) until i get married and i can change my last name (til you can find another)
breathing comes in pairs (you inhale and then you exhale) except for twice one begins and ones goodbye (exhale when your born....you never finish your last breath when you die you inhale and you're gone)
i love your interpretation. i never thought of it like that, its amazing.
yeah! i always wondered about the "breathing comes in pairs, except for twice" thing, but that makes sense.
The first post by zombiemoxie is absolutely dead on. I agree 100%. There's nothing more that needs to be said on the song's meaning.<br /> <br /> Personally, I'm the father of a six month old daughter and the thought that anybody could be displeased by a daughter really hurts me. It strikes me in the most visceral way as being so incredibly sad. She just lights up my life and it makes me sad that somebody would willingly choose to miss that. The author's grandfather missed out on so much in raising his daughter, and doubly so in losing out on having a terrific musician as a grandson. <br /> <br /> I presume this song is grounded in truth because you can really hear his heart as he sings. If it isn't true then I'm even more impressed with the Fray for creating this amazing fiction that solicits such an emotional reaction from me.
God, that first verse hits home with me. I can't wait to get married and change my last name.