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.
Let me tell you a tale
From the old western trail
Of a dusty lone outsider
Though he seemed worn
And his clothes were all torn
He was the devil's gun fighter
Just after sundown
He roamed into town
Wandered without any joy
He was covered in mud
And he drank only blood
He was a bloodsucking cowboy
Yeah he was a bloodsucking cowboy
Coyotes were his choir
Bullets couldn't hurt but, the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
Was a lady who rose
In fine satin clothes
Her charms had caught his eye
He asked her to dance
And there was some romance
But his nature he could not deny
'Cause he was a bloodsucking cowboy
Coyotes were his choir
Bullets couldn't hurt, but the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
He kissed her rosebud
And he drained her of blood
Wanted her there by his side
So he cut his own wrist
From which he then kissed
So she'd be forever his bride
Was the gal of his dreams
From the devil it seems
He swore that they'd never part
And but just like a lady
Her intentions were shady
And she drove a wood stake through his heart
But he was a bloodsucking cowboy
Coyotes were his choir
Bullets couldn't hurt but the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
Bullets couldn't hurt but the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
Was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
From the old western trail
Of a dusty lone outsider
Though he seemed worn
And his clothes were all torn
He was the devil's gun fighter
Just after sundown
He roamed into town
Wandered without any joy
He was covered in mud
And he drank only blood
He was a bloodsucking cowboy
Yeah he was a bloodsucking cowboy
Coyotes were his choir
Bullets couldn't hurt but, the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
Was a lady who rose
In fine satin clothes
Her charms had caught his eye
He asked her to dance
And there was some romance
But his nature he could not deny
'Cause he was a bloodsucking cowboy
Coyotes were his choir
Bullets couldn't hurt, but the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
He kissed her rosebud
And he drained her of blood
Wanted her there by his side
So he cut his own wrist
From which he then kissed
So she'd be forever his bride
Was the gal of his dreams
From the devil it seems
He swore that they'd never part
And but just like a lady
Her intentions were shady
And she drove a wood stake through his heart
But he was a bloodsucking cowboy
Coyotes were his choir
Bullets couldn't hurt but the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
Bullets couldn't hurt but the dawn it would burn him
He was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
Was a lonely gunslingin' vampire
Lyrics submitted by verevoof
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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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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"
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