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.
The song's a thing and this one's thin
From traveling light, the stars at night
Have seen old time to new erosion
Old time gone with old religions
Prickled interest seizing pride
The night the music upped and died, died
Been listening all the night long
Been listening all the day
Will I listen for the one you know?
Will I listen, will I pray?
It's a-coming all the night long
It's a-coming in the day
It's blowing through my stone ears
Whistling its way
Left the song behind old chums
The faintest trace of what's to come
What's behind and what is near
Banished by a suckling ear
Coffee luster, lend me mine
Nothing came with beer and wine, wine
Been listening all the night long
Been listening all the day
Will I listen for the one you know?
Will I listen, will I pray?
It's a-coming all the night long
It's a-coming in the day
It's blowing through my stone ears
Whistling its way
The music's gone, the music's dead
The music went and in its stead
A single song, a chorus strong
A symphony, sans right or wrong
The band's rehearsing, the radio's off
The silence is everything, hold that cough
Been listening all the night long
Been listening all the day
Will I listen to the one you know?
Will I listen, will I pray?
It's a-coming all the night long
It's a-coming in the day
It's blowing through my stone ears
Whistling its way
From traveling light, the stars at night
Have seen old time to new erosion
Old time gone with old religions
Prickled interest seizing pride
The night the music upped and died, died
Been listening all the night long
Been listening all the day
Will I listen for the one you know?
Will I listen, will I pray?
It's a-coming all the night long
It's a-coming in the day
It's blowing through my stone ears
Whistling its way
Left the song behind old chums
The faintest trace of what's to come
What's behind and what is near
Banished by a suckling ear
Coffee luster, lend me mine
Nothing came with beer and wine, wine
Been listening all the night long
Been listening all the day
Will I listen for the one you know?
Will I listen, will I pray?
It's a-coming all the night long
It's a-coming in the day
It's blowing through my stone ears
Whistling its way
The music's gone, the music's dead
The music went and in its stead
A single song, a chorus strong
A symphony, sans right or wrong
The band's rehearsing, the radio's off
The silence is everything, hold that cough
Been listening all the night long
Been listening all the day
Will I listen to the one you know?
Will I listen, will I pray?
It's a-coming all the night long
It's a-coming in the day
It's blowing through my stone ears
Whistling its way
Lyrics submitted by everythingremindsme
Been Listening Lyrics as written by John Patrick Vivian Flynn
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think it's "symphony sans right or wrong" ... and maybe "beer and wine" ... maybe not