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.
There's a freight train roaring through the dead of night
Heading straight for Yuma
I hear it every time it rolls through town
It's one a.m. and I'm wide awake
Too hot for sleeping
Those wheels keep spinning round
Wheels keep spinning round and round
Me and that train cover lot of ground
Wish I may wish I might
Gonna be another long hot night
Trucks are flying up and I-10
I can hear them in the distance
Tired drivers trying to beat the heat
We used to drive with the headlights out
Moonlight on the highway
You were sleeping with your head in my lap
You were sleeping with your head in my lap
Life don't get much better than that
Hubcaps spinning in the light
It's gonna be another long hot night
How'd I let it get so wrong
The days roll by and the nights drag on
Trying to find a way to get on track
But I'm spinning wheels and looking back
Just spinning wheels looking back
Shots ring out in the middle of a dream
Car tires squealing
For a moment I wonder where I am
I'm right here in this little hot house
With no one beside me
Listening to the wobble of the ceiling fan
I'm listening to the wobble of ceiling fan
I wish I was a better man
Gonna keep trying till I get it right
Gonna be another long hot night
Heading straight for Yuma
I hear it every time it rolls through town
It's one a.m. and I'm wide awake
Too hot for sleeping
Those wheels keep spinning round
Wheels keep spinning round and round
Me and that train cover lot of ground
Wish I may wish I might
Gonna be another long hot night
Trucks are flying up and I-10
I can hear them in the distance
Tired drivers trying to beat the heat
We used to drive with the headlights out
Moonlight on the highway
You were sleeping with your head in my lap
You were sleeping with your head in my lap
Life don't get much better than that
Hubcaps spinning in the light
It's gonna be another long hot night
How'd I let it get so wrong
The days roll by and the nights drag on
Trying to find a way to get on track
But I'm spinning wheels and looking back
Just spinning wheels looking back
Shots ring out in the middle of a dream
Car tires squealing
For a moment I wonder where I am
I'm right here in this little hot house
With no one beside me
Listening to the wobble of the ceiling fan
I'm listening to the wobble of ceiling fan
I wish I was a better man
Gonna keep trying till I get it right
Gonna be another long hot night
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Long Hot Night Lyrics as written by Teddy Morgan John Coinman
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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