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've been waiting
All my life
For someone like you
To come mess with my mind
Someone crazy
Someone who
Someone who'll love me
The way I loved you
I keep searching
And what's worse
Now that you're gone,
All that's left is the hurt
Three little words
That's all that I've got
Three little words,
Like it or not
Tell me you noticed?
Tell me you heard?
For you I'd have run to
The ends of the Earth
I couldn't keep you,
But I'll keep my word
It's the most beautiful
Pain in the world
I love how it hurts
I've been trying
Since you left
Trying to fix all the
Bits that you wrecked
I'm just waiting
Till it mends
Then I'll let you break
It again and again
Three little words
That's all that I've got
Three little words,
Like it or not
Tell me you noticed?
Tell me you heard?
For you I'd have run to
The ends of the Earth
I couldn't keep you,
But I'll keep my word
It's the most beautiful
Pain in the world
I love how it hurts
I've been losing my mind
I pretend that it's fine
Trying to keep it together
While I crumble inside
You got a friend at
The end of the line
Give me a moment
Give me a chance
Lost in the hurt
Caught in the past
Give me a moment
Give me the past
Give me the hurt
I know we can last
Tell me you noticed?
Tell me you heard?
For you I'd have run to
The ends of the Earth
I couldn't keep you,
But I'll keep my word
It's the most beautiful
Pain in the world
And I love how it hurts
This is my journey
This ain't the end
I'm waiting here
Till I see you again
All my life
For someone like you
To come mess with my mind
Someone crazy
Someone who
Someone who'll love me
The way I loved you
I keep searching
And what's worse
Now that you're gone,
All that's left is the hurt
Three little words
That's all that I've got
Three little words,
Like it or not
Tell me you noticed?
Tell me you heard?
For you I'd have run to
The ends of the Earth
I couldn't keep you,
But I'll keep my word
It's the most beautiful
Pain in the world
I love how it hurts
I've been trying
Since you left
Trying to fix all the
Bits that you wrecked
I'm just waiting
Till it mends
Then I'll let you break
It again and again
Three little words
That's all that I've got
Three little words,
Like it or not
Tell me you noticed?
Tell me you heard?
For you I'd have run to
The ends of the Earth
I couldn't keep you,
But I'll keep my word
It's the most beautiful
Pain in the world
I love how it hurts
I've been losing my mind
I pretend that it's fine
Trying to keep it together
While I crumble inside
You got a friend at
The end of the line
Give me a moment
Give me a chance
Lost in the hurt
Caught in the past
Give me a moment
Give me the past
Give me the hurt
I know we can last
Tell me you noticed?
Tell me you heard?
For you I'd have run to
The ends of the Earth
I couldn't keep you,
But I'll keep my word
It's the most beautiful
Pain in the world
And I love how it hurts
This is my journey
This ain't the end
I'm waiting here
Till I see you again
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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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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Really love this song. It may sound like an upbeat, poppy anthem (like the majority of their work) but you can hear the pain and the desperation in the way he sings it. There are some people who you will never really let go of, and will do anything for but they don't see it or, worse, choose to ignore it. It really resonates me, not so much in the music but so much in the lyrics. Thank you Scouting for Girls, a class track!!
This is my favourite song of theirs. It's quite a weird heartbreaking love song. What I get from this song is someone that is so infatuated with someone else that they would wait forever for them. They are willing to constantly be hurt by the other person because they love them that much. I think a lot of us can relate to this at some point in our lives.