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.
Eddie had a few days comin'
So he took a Las Vegas jaunt
Out to the land of supply and demand
Where you can get anything you want
He wasn't lookin' for true love
No, he didn't believe in that stuff
Eddie LeGrande was a hard workin' man
Who just needed a little good luck
His shoes were a little worn
His hair was a little thin
Just another old sailor
Waitin' on his ship to come in
Lily was a two time loser
Who said that love was just a roll of the dice
She acted real tough, said once ain't enough
For me I learned my lesson twice
But deep in her heart lived a young girl
Dreamin' a young girl's dream
And that young girl was who Eddie ran into
Over by the slot machines
Her face was a little pale
Her dress was a little thin
Oh but lookin' at her was like
Watchin' his ship come in
Well, he bought her a cup of coffee
With the quarters he meant to play
They went for a bite and they talked all night
'Til they said what they needed to say
Then they found 'em an all night chapel
With a heart shaped honeymoon suite
And somewhere tonight in the neon light
Two hearts can't be beat
And he's singin' a little song
She's grinnin' a little grin
And they're holdin' each other
Watchin' their ship come in
Her face was a little pale
His hair was a little thin
But they're two young lovers
Watchin' their ship come in
Just holdin' each other
Watchin' their ship come in
So he took a Las Vegas jaunt
Out to the land of supply and demand
Where you can get anything you want
He wasn't lookin' for true love
No, he didn't believe in that stuff
Eddie LeGrande was a hard workin' man
Who just needed a little good luck
His shoes were a little worn
His hair was a little thin
Just another old sailor
Waitin' on his ship to come in
Lily was a two time loser
Who said that love was just a roll of the dice
She acted real tough, said once ain't enough
For me I learned my lesson twice
But deep in her heart lived a young girl
Dreamin' a young girl's dream
And that young girl was who Eddie ran into
Over by the slot machines
Her face was a little pale
Her dress was a little thin
Oh but lookin' at her was like
Watchin' his ship come in
Well, he bought her a cup of coffee
With the quarters he meant to play
They went for a bite and they talked all night
'Til they said what they needed to say
Then they found 'em an all night chapel
With a heart shaped honeymoon suite
And somewhere tonight in the neon light
Two hearts can't be beat
And he's singin' a little song
She's grinnin' a little grin
And they're holdin' each other
Watchin' their ship come in
Her face was a little pale
His hair was a little thin
But they're two young lovers
Watchin' their ship come in
Just holdin' each other
Watchin' their ship come in
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Ships Lyrics as written by Peters
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.