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.
...and what of the father will he analyze?
...and what about the mother will she discover
the truth behind this life we're living?
I knew there was a reason I kept this.
Now everything we've ever had is here for us.
Don't worry 'bout the father you'll take care of him
And as for the mother, she always loved her son
And you look like him
...and what about the mother will she discover
the truth behind this life we're living?
I knew there was a reason I kept this.
Now everything we've ever had is here for us.
Don't worry 'bout the father you'll take care of him
And as for the mother, she always loved her son
And you look like him
Lyrics submitted by JankyHoopty, edited by lukeeffect, seeegma
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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 song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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From the album sheet
...and what of the father will he analyze? ...and what about the mother will she discover the truth behind this life we're living?
I knew there was a reason I kept this. Now everything we've ever had is here for us.
Don't worry 'bout the father you'll take care of him And as for the mother, she always loved her son And you look like him
Don't worry 'bout the father You'll TAKE CARE of him
=
murder?
You'll look like him.* Just listened to it.
According to the picture on the postcard, he kept the poison from the Poison Lady and poisoned the father in his sleep.
From 1:08 to 2:32 I'm like 90% sure that in the background he's saying "I knew.. I kept this.. for a reason", which is a little backwards from what's on the postcard "I knew there was a reason I kept this".
is the father his literal father???
@ckdough yes
@ckdough yes
im not sure whats happening, it could be that the dear hunter kills his father, though if he is i dont think the mood of the song fits so im not sure. thought "i kept this for a reason" could be him having kept the stuff he bought from the poison lady to poison his dad.
it kinda feels like its from someone elses perspective but if it is i have no idea whos. because its "THE mother" and "THE father" not 'my' and "everything WE'VE ever wanted is here for US" thouhgh the "i kept it for a reason bit" could be from the dear hunters perspective in the background.
the last line, as in "you look like him" being the son. is whoever it is singing saying that he resembles the boy that hi mother knew but he has greatly changed. matured, grown, loved, lost, probably injured in the war. =)
It seems the story was the Dear Hunter met a doppleganger of himself on the battlefield of the war he's involved in. Then, the Boy dies during a battle. After finding the boy's parents, who worried their son died in the war The Dear Hunter was involved in, they take him in. At first, he is hesitant and worried they will notice he isn't their son. The Dear Hunter's mom was the ex-prostitute named Ms. Terri and his father was the vile narrator of He Said He Had A Story, where his father brags to his fellow soldiers, including the Dear Hunter, about the Dear Hunter's conception. It's murky about what happened after this, as Casey wasn't clear, but it seems the Dear Hunter killed him while on the battlefield. So he is mistaken for these people's child, but having a parent love him is something he hasn't had since his mother died, so he accompanies them on a ship heading for whatever is to come in Act IV. This is taken from an interview with Casey about Act Three and a bit of it is seen in the video for What It Means To Be Alone
These lyrics are incorrect. These are the lyrics to Life And Death. The leaked version was wrong. Anyhow, in the correct version of this song, I love how in the very beginning you hear the theme from vital vessel vindicate overtop the "bah bah bah bah bah" part of Red Hands. Awesome song.
@ihatehatehaters I think you're tripping.
@ihatehatehaters It looks like someone fixed it, but then it got switched back again
@ihatehatehaters the lyrics should be correct now, and set so they don't revert back to the wrong ones.