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.
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh
The last days were the meanest
Leanest days of our lives
You threw me the pieces
I started the fire
One thing led to a dead end
One shot put her away, hey-hey
Look out on a green world
Windows and wives
No bedroom to run to
No miracle jive, no conversation
Then nothing meant nothing
Ten dollars tore us apart
One thing led to a dead end
One shot put her away
One day nothing meant nothing
Ten dollars tore us apart
One thing led to a dead end
And one shot put her away
The last days were the meanest
Leanest days of our lives
One thing led to a dead end
One shot further away
Look out on a green world
Windows and wives
No bedroom to run to
No woman alive, no conversation
Hot love is the dearest
No money can buy
She burnt like a spitfire
One shot put her away
One shot put her away, hey-hey
One shot put her away, uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
One shot put her away
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh
The last days were the meanest
Leanest days of our lives
You threw me the pieces
I started the fire
One thing led to a dead end
One shot put her away, hey-hey
Look out on a green world
Windows and wives
No bedroom to run to
No miracle jive, no conversation
Then nothing meant nothing
Ten dollars tore us apart
One thing led to a dead end
One shot put her away
One day nothing meant nothing
Ten dollars tore us apart
One thing led to a dead end
And one shot put her away
The last days were the meanest
Leanest days of our lives
One thing led to a dead end
One shot further away
Look out on a green world
Windows and wives
No bedroom to run to
No woman alive, no conversation
Hot love is the dearest
No money can buy
She burnt like a spitfire
One shot put her away
One shot put her away, hey-hey
One shot put her away, uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh
Uh-huh-huh
Uh-huh-huh-huh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Uh-huh-huh
One shot put her away
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
One Shot Lyrics as written by Hunt B Sales David Bowie
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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Great version of a great song,
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