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 awoke in a violent dream one day
Saw my shadow slip away
The steep and incandescent figure walked right through the parlour
And all the smoking ladies whispered
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
But you and I escaped out of school
Through a tiny hole in the fence you said,
"Don't fear the reaper. Don't fear the mistress.
For when you're walking through the sewer,
at least you get a real perfume.
You can hold onto a silver sliver.
Let's break it down, down to my level."
And we saw the silver sliver, calling us wildly
You ask why we dance together
Zelo, zelo oh sad coco
Zelo sad coco on my mind
(I love you, but I will will not eat you alive
For I have a silver sliver by my side)
So would you tell me when you're ready to break free of this,
and I will keep the motor on.
Oh come on, make me proud, admit it.
We saw the silver sliver, calling us wildly
You ask why we dance together
We dance 'cause we can't speak.
Oh, I worry, you know I worry a lot,
But though I worry I've got comfort in my...
...So would you tell me when you're ready to break free of this,
and I will keep the motor on.
We'll be going downstairs to the basement, where the lights are low
And even your mama doesn't come alone
So come on, make me proud.
I said "Shut up, make me proud.
It gets lost when the words come out.
Shine a light on the silver sliver.
Let's break it down, down to my level."
Saw my shadow slip away
The steep and incandescent figure walked right through the parlour
And all the smoking ladies whispered
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
But you and I escaped out of school
Through a tiny hole in the fence you said,
"Don't fear the reaper. Don't fear the mistress.
For when you're walking through the sewer,
at least you get a real perfume.
You can hold onto a silver sliver.
Let's break it down, down to my level."
And we saw the silver sliver, calling us wildly
You ask why we dance together
Zelo, zelo oh sad coco
Zelo sad coco on my mind
(I love you, but I will will not eat you alive
For I have a silver sliver by my side)
So would you tell me when you're ready to break free of this,
and I will keep the motor on.
Oh come on, make me proud, admit it.
We saw the silver sliver, calling us wildly
You ask why we dance together
We dance 'cause we can't speak.
Oh, I worry, you know I worry a lot,
But though I worry I've got comfort in my...
...So would you tell me when you're ready to break free of this,
and I will keep the motor on.
We'll be going downstairs to the basement, where the lights are low
And even your mama doesn't come alone
So come on, make me proud.
I said "Shut up, make me proud.
It gets lost when the words come out.
Shine a light on the silver sliver.
Let's break it down, down to my level."
Lyrics submitted by dearclementine
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what exactly is 'the silver sliver' what does that refer to?? and how GOOD is the line "you ask why we dance together; we dance 'cause we can't speak" BEA-UTI-FUL!
@SecretScum I've always thought it meant silver lining. As in every cloud has its' silver lining.