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.
There ain't no moon tonight
It's hard for me to see
But if I can catch a glimpse of you
It helps me feel at ease
It helps me sleep
All my life I've watched you dance along
To music that I can't hear
I ain't equipped to hear those songs
I like the way you talk about all the things you've seen
You make the world seem small for a time
Though it's still too big for me
All my life I've watched you dance along
To music that I can't hear
I ain't equipped to hear those songs
You were never at rest
You were always somewhere-bound
But as for me, I'm the simple kind
I'll live and die in this town
And I know my home ain't big enough
That it would only keep you down
And I'd hate to see you caged
So all that I ask
Is you come say hi when you're around
It ain't much
But it's good enough for me
It's hard for me to see
But if I can catch a glimpse of you
It helps me feel at ease
It helps me sleep
All my life I've watched you dance along
To music that I can't hear
I ain't equipped to hear those songs
I like the way you talk about all the things you've seen
You make the world seem small for a time
Though it's still too big for me
All my life I've watched you dance along
To music that I can't hear
I ain't equipped to hear those songs
You were never at rest
You were always somewhere-bound
But as for me, I'm the simple kind
I'll live and die in this town
And I know my home ain't big enough
That it would only keep you down
And I'd hate to see you caged
So all that I ask
Is you come say hi when you're around
It ain't much
But it's good enough for me
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Great version of a great song,
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I feel like this song is about a deaf person who falls in love with a hearing person. The hearing person then leaves the small town to travel the world while the deaf person stays behind.