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.
Hey old man- How have you been?
I can see that life has not been kind to you
Even though you always held the door open for her
She went and left you all alone with your seashell bones
And a lifetime supply of TV dinners
All that I can give to you, besides this useless gratitude
Here's a plastic line to divide your junk food from mine
In exchange for the service you've offered
Traces of ones you love linger in the air
This I know to be so, this I know to be so
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Hey old man- How have you been?
I can see that life has not been kind to you
Sometimes it's hard to tell the wish from the well
With all of these pictures of before and after
Traces of ones you love linger in the air
This I know to be so, this I know to be so
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Pushing my way through the crowd of the lottery
Jackpot junkies; everybody's losing like you knew
Everybody’s losing, losing, losing at something now
Traces of ones you love linger in the air
This I know to be so, this I know to be so
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
I can see that life has not been kind to you
Even though you always held the door open for her
She went and left you all alone with your seashell bones
And a lifetime supply of TV dinners
All that I can give to you, besides this useless gratitude
Here's a plastic line to divide your junk food from mine
In exchange for the service you've offered
Traces of ones you love linger in the air
This I know to be so, this I know to be so
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Hey old man- How have you been?
I can see that life has not been kind to you
Sometimes it's hard to tell the wish from the well
With all of these pictures of before and after
Traces of ones you love linger in the air
This I know to be so, this I know to be so
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Pushing my way through the crowd of the lottery
Jackpot junkies; everybody's losing like you knew
Everybody’s losing, losing, losing at something now
Traces of ones you love linger in the air
This I know to be so, this I know to be so
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Here today; tomorrow going, going, gone
Lyrics submitted by naphthalenamine
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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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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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