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.
(Aah)
Vapor trail in a fifties sky
Sun is low but today's not over
Moving slow like a Western ballad
Call the song indispensable
Does the sun never leave the highway?
Does the sun ever take a rest?
This forgotten Indian Summer
In a year of atomic tests
Red car driving through the main gate
The generals still at ease
It's a fine day back in 1954
(It's a fine day back in 1954)
Red car driving in the sunset
So far there isn't any object
No thing no mortal can't control
No sign of any intervention
So far there isn't any reason
Those secret Summers never told
Bombs away
Underground
Did you ever see the sun at midnight?
Silhouette on a mountain range
White hot Summer gonna turn a color red
Some guys in advanced artillery
They already saw this thing
They told me it's gonna put this world at ease
Red car driving in the sunset
So far there isn't any object
No thing no mortal can't control
No sign of any intervention
So far there isn't any reason
The secret Summer never told
Bombs away
Underground
Red car driving in the sunset
So far there isn't any object
No thing no mortal can't control
No sign of any intervention
So far there isn't any reason
That Indian Summer never told
Bombs away
Underground
Vapor trail in a fifties sky
Sun is low but today's not over
Moving slow like a Western ballad
Call the song indispensable
Does the sun never leave the highway?
Does the sun ever take a rest?
This forgotten Indian Summer
In a year of atomic tests
Red car driving through the main gate
The generals still at ease
It's a fine day back in 1954
(It's a fine day back in 1954)
Red car driving in the sunset
So far there isn't any object
No thing no mortal can't control
No sign of any intervention
So far there isn't any reason
Those secret Summers never told
Bombs away
Underground
Did you ever see the sun at midnight?
Silhouette on a mountain range
White hot Summer gonna turn a color red
Some guys in advanced artillery
They already saw this thing
They told me it's gonna put this world at ease
Red car driving in the sunset
So far there isn't any object
No thing no mortal can't control
No sign of any intervention
So far there isn't any reason
The secret Summer never told
Bombs away
Underground
Red car driving in the sunset
So far there isn't any object
No thing no mortal can't control
No sign of any intervention
So far there isn't any reason
That Indian Summer never told
Bombs away
Underground
Lyrics submitted by frostieskid
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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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