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.
She left a lipstick letter on the mirror shattered on the bathroom floor
All I could put back together was never see me no more
Took all her clothes but one red dress, the one she knows I like the best
All I could do was clean up the mess and wonder where she'd gone
I had a sky-blue, rag top Mustang, a 1964
She drove it off into the night till it just wouldn't go no more
She caught a ride on into town, bought some gas and laid the top down
Then she burned that pony to the ground on the desert in new Mexico
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
She gave me every chance a man could want
I've never known a love so strong
Or so crazy when she's been done wrong
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
I put a call into her mamasita back in El Paso
She said she got the story from Rita on her way to Mexico
Her mama knew I was takin' it hard, said she was sorry about my car
She said, "You're lucky all she broke was your heart
You better just let her go"
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
She gave me every chance a man could want
I've never known a love so strong
Or so crazy when she's been done wrong
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
She never gave me a chance to explain
Well I guess it doesn't much matter now anyway
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
All I could put back together was never see me no more
Took all her clothes but one red dress, the one she knows I like the best
All I could do was clean up the mess and wonder where she'd gone
I had a sky-blue, rag top Mustang, a 1964
She drove it off into the night till it just wouldn't go no more
She caught a ride on into town, bought some gas and laid the top down
Then she burned that pony to the ground on the desert in new Mexico
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
She gave me every chance a man could want
I've never known a love so strong
Or so crazy when she's been done wrong
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
I put a call into her mamasita back in El Paso
She said she got the story from Rita on her way to Mexico
Her mama knew I was takin' it hard, said she was sorry about my car
She said, "You're lucky all she broke was your heart
You better just let her go"
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
She gave me every chance a man could want
I've never known a love so strong
Or so crazy when she's been done wrong
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
She never gave me a chance to explain
Well I guess it doesn't much matter now anyway
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
When Rita leaves, Rita's gone
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
When Rita Leaves Lyrics as written by Gary Nicholson Delbert Mcclinton
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, DO WRITE MUSIC LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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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Speaking of "masterful," how many authors would spend pages trying to convey the story captured in just these few lines?
"She left a lipstick letter on the mirror, Shattered on the bathroom floor All I could put back together was '...never see me no more.' Took all her clothes but one red dress, The one she knows I like the best..."
Another sorrowful, bluesy broken-heart ballad from Delbert McClinton! The Mexican theme here is also front & center in his "Down into Mexico" tale of deadly double-crosses.
So much plot packed into so few words. Masterful.