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.
In the painted faces congregate
In the mating season
The seconds homes
They go alone
In no rush to leave 'em
And there's a fountain
And a scimitar
Shaped yellow light
And it picks you up
And cuts you down to size
The people there
And the furniture
Start to seem important
A moment more
And you catch the floor
With a vivid and absorbent sharpened arc
Like the scimitar
Shaped yellow light
That picks you up
And cuts you down to size
Oh I had questions for the tap dancer
Sat on my lap
And she had child proof caps on her answers
Stone blower blow me a stone
And show me that handsome enchancer
She had a rock on her throttle
And a brown glass bottle full of
Shavings from the sun
Although those shoes affect your step
Don't forget whose legs you're on
There's a fountain and a scimitar
Shaped yellow light
And it picks you up
And it cuts you down to size
In the mating season
The seconds homes
They go alone
In no rush to leave 'em
And there's a fountain
And a scimitar
Shaped yellow light
And it picks you up
And cuts you down to size
The people there
And the furniture
Start to seem important
A moment more
And you catch the floor
With a vivid and absorbent sharpened arc
Like the scimitar
Shaped yellow light
That picks you up
And cuts you down to size
Oh I had questions for the tap dancer
Sat on my lap
And she had child proof caps on her answers
Stone blower blow me a stone
And show me that handsome enchancer
She had a rock on her throttle
And a brown glass bottle full of
Shavings from the sun
Although those shoes affect your step
Don't forget whose legs you're on
There's a fountain and a scimitar
Shaped yellow light
And it picks you up
And it cuts you down to size
Lyrics submitted by brfcmaniac, edited by adlibjulia
Don't Forget Whose Legs You're On Lyrics as written by Alex Turner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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Silent Planet
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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.
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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,
In my humble opinion, the meaning comes from the myth of Prokroustis in ancient Greek mythology. Prokroustis was a bad guy (obviously) eho had a bed. Whoever wanted to pass from the path he was guarding, he was putting him in a test. He put the passenger on a bed. If the passenger was smaller than the bed, he was extending his/her legs with ropes as to fit. In the opposite case (which reminds the song) if the passenger was bigger than the bed, he was cutting the legs to the size of the bed. Odysseus (if i am not mistaken) supposedly killed him and saved humanity from this monster. Back to the song. When you go out, meeting a new possible lover, always you feel perfect, you may lie about your qualities, pretend you re someone better, richer or smarter. In a way, the lyricist, reminds us that we should never forget who we really are, because next morning the pain of disclosure is like the pain of the sword of Prokroustis, fitting you to what you really are. Maybe i am wrong, but that is the first thoughts i had when i listened to this song. And even if i am wrong, isn't this the important? To give the meaning you imagine to the lyrics an artist thought...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procrustes<br />