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.
I am flying home from Frankfurt, I am sitting next to Leslie
In the Air Force stationed overseas for 57 days
Fueling US airplanes that had stopped off in Bulgaria
And now she's headed home to see her babies
Across the aisle Marines are talking, I turn my head, they're flashing
Documents of service, words like purple by their names
The movie screen's a video of Elvis Presley's daughter
Singing something about Memphis while a car goes up in flames
I'm curious to know what Leslie thinks about the war
But all she talks about is going home, she's going home
She's looking forward
I'm looking sideways
Just spent a week in Germany, I hadda change my diet
There were many late night conversations, cigarettes, and beer
Playing music, foreign films, Iraq and what the Germans
Thought about the U.S. going over there
I look around, Leslie's got some headphones and a CD
Her head is swaying side to side, the cover's in her lap
"Moonlight Piano Favorites," she starts to snap her fingers
And I just stop and take a look at that
Can you picture Leslie as her thumb and fingers snap
If these "Moonlight Piano Favorites" turn a soldier into that
Then I'm sending off some headphones to leaders everywhere
With some "Moonlight Piano Favorites"
And a prayer
In the Air Force stationed overseas for 57 days
Fueling US airplanes that had stopped off in Bulgaria
And now she's headed home to see her babies
Across the aisle Marines are talking, I turn my head, they're flashing
Documents of service, words like purple by their names
The movie screen's a video of Elvis Presley's daughter
Singing something about Memphis while a car goes up in flames
I'm curious to know what Leslie thinks about the war
But all she talks about is going home, she's going home
She's looking forward
I'm looking sideways
Just spent a week in Germany, I hadda change my diet
There were many late night conversations, cigarettes, and beer
Playing music, foreign films, Iraq and what the Germans
Thought about the U.S. going over there
I look around, Leslie's got some headphones and a CD
Her head is swaying side to side, the cover's in her lap
"Moonlight Piano Favorites," she starts to snap her fingers
And I just stop and take a look at that
Can you picture Leslie as her thumb and fingers snap
If these "Moonlight Piano Favorites" turn a soldier into that
Then I'm sending off some headphones to leaders everywhere
With some "Moonlight Piano Favorites"
And a prayer
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.