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.
I woke around this morning at 7:30 thirty
Head hurtin' and my stomach felt funny funny
Then all of a sudden a hand came out the sky
Sucker's swarming around
Many begin to die
Shitty smell run across the whole city
Nuclear toxic now we wont feel no pity
Many die from e-bola
Many from AIDS
Mexicans, Whities, Japanese, and Spades
Indian, Iranian, and all them others
Bout to find out for self
We got the phantom
See which side of the game is over there
Well is this it, the end of civilization
Are we prepared? Well I hope so
Here's the official stolen government training film
of the secret plan to deal with an alien uprising
Today you have to stay on your toes
When you're walkin' the streets and stalkin' the sheets stay on the low
Go to the wrong territory and get blown, blown
Some brother's ain't even knowing, knowing
Revelations are is on it's way like ya next spliffs
So get your mental uplift while we shootin' the gift
Black magic chants
Mass eat per cold clams
Be on the sky take a glare
Look around wonder why
We must be born to die
We must be born to die
Head hurtin' and my stomach felt funny funny
Then all of a sudden a hand came out the sky
Sucker's swarming around
Many begin to die
Shitty smell run across the whole city
Nuclear toxic now we wont feel no pity
Many die from e-bola
Many from AIDS
Mexicans, Whities, Japanese, and Spades
Indian, Iranian, and all them others
Bout to find out for self
We got the phantom
See which side of the game is over there
Well is this it, the end of civilization
Are we prepared? Well I hope so
Here's the official stolen government training film
of the secret plan to deal with an alien uprising
Today you have to stay on your toes
When you're walkin' the streets and stalkin' the sheets stay on the low
Go to the wrong territory and get blown, blown
Some brother's ain't even knowing, knowing
Revelations are is on it's way like ya next spliffs
So get your mental uplift while we shootin' the gift
Black magic chants
Mass eat per cold clams
Be on the sky take a glare
Look around wonder why
We must be born to die
We must be born to die
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Civilization Day Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © EMPIRE PUBLISHING
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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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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"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,