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.
No more pain and eyes
You can't hide from me
I know you're still in pain
The nightclubs wont take that away
They never did
So wash that mask off your face
And tell me honestly
Have I damaged you so bad
That I can never come back?
Because I'm here right now
Back in the house
On our old queen bed
As you slip off your dress
It's all so familiar
Like kissing cousins
The stepped-on wife
The prodigal husband
You stumbled home late
To find me on your porch
Your red wine cheeks drained white
Like you'd seen a ghost
The sun hung solemn at noon
As you stormed through our bedroom
"It's not our bedroom," you cried
"You gave that up when you chose those other beds to lie in
And lie you did
How'd you weasel your way back in to me?
No, you can't come back
I hate myself when you're around"
But I'm here right now, back in the house
As you cuss me out
In that yellow nightgown
I bought for you at that shop in St. Paul
You pulled me in the dressing room to show it off
It must have been stuffed in the back of your drawer
So why'd you decide to wear that, if I cant come back?
La, la, la, la
La, la, la
Can I come back?
Can I come back
You can't hide from me
I know you're still in pain
The nightclubs wont take that away
They never did
So wash that mask off your face
And tell me honestly
Have I damaged you so bad
That I can never come back?
Because I'm here right now
Back in the house
On our old queen bed
As you slip off your dress
It's all so familiar
Like kissing cousins
The stepped-on wife
The prodigal husband
You stumbled home late
To find me on your porch
Your red wine cheeks drained white
Like you'd seen a ghost
The sun hung solemn at noon
As you stormed through our bedroom
"It's not our bedroom," you cried
"You gave that up when you chose those other beds to lie in
And lie you did
How'd you weasel your way back in to me?
No, you can't come back
I hate myself when you're around"
But I'm here right now, back in the house
As you cuss me out
In that yellow nightgown
I bought for you at that shop in St. Paul
You pulled me in the dressing room to show it off
It must have been stuffed in the back of your drawer
So why'd you decide to wear that, if I cant come back?
La, la, la, la
La, la, la
Can I come back?
Can I come back
Lyrics submitted by thegoodlife, edited by Mellow_Harsher
The Prodigal Husband Lyrics as written by Tim Kasher
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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