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.
A rabbit bein' chased by a big, black dog
Through the early mornin' fog
Over the meadow and past the bog,
They were runnin'
The rabbit had jumped a fence or two
Cause that's what rabbits like to do
Big black dog had to jump 'em too
They was runnin'
Now this black dog had a brother
'Cept he was white as snow
One looked like the other
Least that's how the story go
So the black dog's chasin' the rabbit down the road
And he seen a familiar face he knowed
He said, "Hey there white dog, what you say?
Take over chasin' this rabbit, all right?
Thank you, get away!
Take over chasin' this rabbit
Or they'll be no rabbit stew today for us."
And here what the white dog say
He say, "That rabbit smiled as he went by
He know he got you beat, that's why.
You wait here and I'll chase a while
Cause I hate to see a rabbit smile."
So off he go, off the white dog go.
Now when that little rabbit looked around
He jumped four feet off the ground
He said, "That big old dog that's chasin' me
Why, he's taken off his jacket and he's runnin' free
He's taken off his jacket and he's catchin' me."
Now there's a moral to this story
For crazy rabbits with dreams of glory
Any rabbit think a dog wear a jacket
Should get out of the rabbit racket.
One dog's brother is another dog's child
And no one likes to see a rabbit smile
Through the early mornin' fog
Over the meadow and past the bog,
They were runnin'
The rabbit had jumped a fence or two
Cause that's what rabbits like to do
Big black dog had to jump 'em too
They was runnin'
Now this black dog had a brother
'Cept he was white as snow
One looked like the other
Least that's how the story go
So the black dog's chasin' the rabbit down the road
And he seen a familiar face he knowed
He said, "Hey there white dog, what you say?
Take over chasin' this rabbit, all right?
Thank you, get away!
Take over chasin' this rabbit
Or they'll be no rabbit stew today for us."
And here what the white dog say
He say, "That rabbit smiled as he went by
He know he got you beat, that's why.
You wait here and I'll chase a while
Cause I hate to see a rabbit smile."
So off he go, off the white dog go.
Now when that little rabbit looked around
He jumped four feet off the ground
He said, "That big old dog that's chasin' me
Why, he's taken off his jacket and he's runnin' free
He's taken off his jacket and he's catchin' me."
Now there's a moral to this story
For crazy rabbits with dreams of glory
Any rabbit think a dog wear a jacket
Should get out of the rabbit racket.
One dog's brother is another dog's child
And no one likes to see a rabbit smile
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Joke Lyrics as written by Randy Newman
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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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.
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Great version of a great song,