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.
This man is at the door of Hell...
Somehow it seems to be his destination after a life of subtle stubbornness.
He doesn't expect to find himself waking up out of a dream...
He doesn't expect to pinch himself and wake up and that kind of thing...
In fact, the thought of that happening makes him smile
He's just mildly surprised to find himself there at the door of Hell
To all accounts, the kindly old man who is the doorman
(And who conceivably reminds him of his father)
Is sat reading a book...
But he gets up smartly and without time
For either of them to feel that they're standing
On ceremony says, "Hold my book for a minute,
Would you, while i get the door open!"
(Presumably, you know, you need two hands to open the door)
For some reason the old man doesn't just put his book down on the chair
It all happens quite quickly...
He finds that he's made a decision and is already holding the old man's book...
As just about anybody else would have, But it seems a bit curious because...
In however small a way you like to consider it...
It is as if he's helping himself enter Hell...
The path of least resistance
Of course, at the same time he suddenly thinks...
Even as he finally grips the book...
"This is my chance for a reprieve...
the final test...
The straw which will tip the good deeds over the bad."
Next thing he knows, they have exchanged opinions
On the book and he has handed it back to the old man
And is being shown into Hell
Somehow it seems to be his destination after a life of subtle stubbornness.
He doesn't expect to find himself waking up out of a dream...
He doesn't expect to pinch himself and wake up and that kind of thing...
In fact, the thought of that happening makes him smile
He's just mildly surprised to find himself there at the door of Hell
To all accounts, the kindly old man who is the doorman
(And who conceivably reminds him of his father)
Is sat reading a book...
But he gets up smartly and without time
For either of them to feel that they're standing
On ceremony says, "Hold my book for a minute,
Would you, while i get the door open!"
(Presumably, you know, you need two hands to open the door)
For some reason the old man doesn't just put his book down on the chair
It all happens quite quickly...
He finds that he's made a decision and is already holding the old man's book...
As just about anybody else would have, But it seems a bit curious because...
In however small a way you like to consider it...
It is as if he's helping himself enter Hell...
The path of least resistance
Of course, at the same time he suddenly thinks...
Even as he finally grips the book...
"This is my chance for a reprieve...
the final test...
The straw which will tip the good deeds over the bad."
Next thing he knows, they have exchanged opinions
On the book and he has handed it back to the old man
And is being shown into Hell
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Book Lyrics as written by Howard Devoto Barry Adamson
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Mute Song Limited
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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