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 sleaze ball, funky, low down, skunky juke joints
Where the drinks are knee deep on the floor
And the clientele is posed and angry
And the pretty girls are whores
Who gild the lily, and more's the pity
If you really want to live a life of passion
If you really want to dance your life away
There's a place I really got to show you
It's down in the alley, really hid away
(treat me) Soul City, Soul City
Peace for the wicked
Life for the living in Soul City
It's a way on down the street
I found it once before
Even though I have the keys
I still can't always find the door
It can be tricky
Might have to pick it
Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul City
Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul City
The girls are witty
The boys are pretty
There's a girl who's dancing with my conscience
While the DJ's playing with my heart
On the screen are my recriminations
While I'm singing I'm still praying hard
Soul City, Soul City
Peace for the wicked
Food for the spirit in Soul City
Soul City, Soul City
Come down there with me
Come down there with me
Where the drinks are knee deep on the floor
And the clientele is posed and angry
And the pretty girls are whores
Who gild the lily, and more's the pity
If you really want to live a life of passion
If you really want to dance your life away
There's a place I really got to show you
It's down in the alley, really hid away
(treat me) Soul City, Soul City
Peace for the wicked
Life for the living in Soul City
It's a way on down the street
I found it once before
Even though I have the keys
I still can't always find the door
It can be tricky
Might have to pick it
Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul City
Soul, Soul, Soul, Soul City
The girls are witty
The boys are pretty
There's a girl who's dancing with my conscience
While the DJ's playing with my heart
On the screen are my recriminations
While I'm singing I'm still praying hard
Soul City, Soul City
Peace for the wicked
Food for the spirit in Soul City
Soul City, Soul City
Come down there with me
Come down there with me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Peace for the Wicked Lyrics as written by Mick Jagger
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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