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.
Last night I dug your picture out from our old dresser drawer
I set it on the table and I talked to it till four
I read some old love letters right up to the break of dawn
Yeah, I've been sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
Then I went through the jewelry and I found our wedding rings
I put mine on my finger and I gave yours a fling
Across this lonely bedroom of our recent broken home
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
I'm diggin' up bones, I'm diggin' up bones,
Exhuming things that's better left alone
And I'm resurrecting mem'ries of a love that's dead and gone
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
And I went through the closet and I found some things in there,
Like that pretty lingerie that I bought you to wear
And I recalled how good you looked each time you had it on
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
I'm diggin' up bones, I'm diggin' up bones,
Exhuming things that's better left alone
And I'm resurrecting mem'ries of a love that's dead and gone
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
I set it on the table and I talked to it till four
I read some old love letters right up to the break of dawn
Yeah, I've been sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
Then I went through the jewelry and I found our wedding rings
I put mine on my finger and I gave yours a fling
Across this lonely bedroom of our recent broken home
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
I'm diggin' up bones, I'm diggin' up bones,
Exhuming things that's better left alone
And I'm resurrecting mem'ries of a love that's dead and gone
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
And I went through the closet and I found some things in there,
Like that pretty lingerie that I bought you to wear
And I recalled how good you looked each time you had it on
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
I'm diggin' up bones, I'm diggin' up bones,
Exhuming things that's better left alone
And I'm resurrecting mem'ries of a love that's dead and gone
Yeah, tonight I'm sittin' alone, diggin' up bones
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Diggin' Up Bones (Tryin' Stuff On) Lyrics as written by Nat Stuckey Al Gore
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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