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.
It's almost definite
I'm really on my way to hell
Get down dog, get down
I'll be your only friend
Kill you in the end
Get down dog, get down
What's the meaning of these shows you watch?
What's the meaning of these rows of clocks?
What's the meaning of love?
He still won't eat a thing
He's a goddam skeleton
Get down dog, get down
The priest is on his way
To give his last hooray
Get down dog, get down
What's the meaning of this cross he waves?
What's the meaning of this lost parade?
What's the meaning of love?
Come along Miss America
Come along with me
Your Marlboro Man's never coming home again
But you still got me
The boys are in the shade
The workers all been paid
Get down dog, get down
Two lovers in the park
It's way after dark
Get down dog, get down
What's the meaning of this flag you fly?
What's the meaning of this firework sky?
What's the meaning of love?
Come along Miss America
Come along with me
Your Marlboro Man's never comng home again
But you still got me
I'm really on my way to hell
Get down dog, get down
I'll be your only friend
Kill you in the end
Get down dog, get down
What's the meaning of these shows you watch?
What's the meaning of these rows of clocks?
What's the meaning of love?
He still won't eat a thing
He's a goddam skeleton
Get down dog, get down
The priest is on his way
To give his last hooray
Get down dog, get down
What's the meaning of this cross he waves?
What's the meaning of this lost parade?
What's the meaning of love?
Come along Miss America
Come along with me
Your Marlboro Man's never coming home again
But you still got me
The boys are in the shade
The workers all been paid
Get down dog, get down
Two lovers in the park
It's way after dark
Get down dog, get down
What's the meaning of this flag you fly?
What's the meaning of this firework sky?
What's the meaning of love?
Come along Miss America
Come along with me
Your Marlboro Man's never comng home again
But you still got me
Lyrics submitted by davidrums
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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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Thought it was a shame this song didn't have at least a stab of an interpretation, so thought I'd finally join and write my first comment. Like any great set of lyrics, I think the Felice Bros. would invite you to interpret it any number of ways as it relates to you but here's how I see it:
1) The song is about smoking cigarettes at its most obvious and, perhaps as an extension, about any type of product that's so addicting it can literally take over your life, replace your relationships, keep you from eating or sleeping, all while slowly killing you (seems like they reference tobacco, TV, time, etc)
2) There's also a sense of the impact of the American marketing machine woven into these lyrics, that Mad Men concept that people/consumers need to be told what they want and what to do. I think that could be reflected in the short snapshots of classic scenes where people would be smoking in a cool or "desirable" way (workers in the shade after a long day of work, lovers in a park, etc)
3) And, finally, I thought this interpretation I read on the totally awesome DayTrotter site and their session with the Felice Bros. was worth sharing:
"It's really deafening/I'm really on my way to hell," Ian sings on "Marlboro Man" and then tells the dog to get down, almost a hip-hop reference, but it sounds like a gravedigger or an alcoholic author's lament, like something Bukowski or Vonnegut would have said, but never really meant. He hints at Miss America going off with the Marlboro Man and it has the essence of the way that the band would like to see things play out, in an ideal world - the girl seeing the value in being with a guy that is All-American in ways and suicidal and depressed for everyone else in other ways.
Check out the site, here: daytrotter.com/