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.
Deaf, blind granite block
Content to graze with familiar stock
A local lard, not an english black
We don't venture into the fog
Homeward bound and gagged not twenty steps from the door
Dispensable as cooks at sea or journalists sent to war
No one found me spellbinding, no one offered me a drink
But by crippled hands at the potters wheel
I was given shape and sex appeal
Sent to work the graveyard shift at heaven's jdc
Legend to the peasants there
Lies that caught me unaware
I've wandered into your graces, so how do I get out?
I want out
It's been quiet for too long
But pompous phrases and alarms can't help you now
And every pervert outside of every fence has had his fill of your kids
He's clocking out
Such indecisive crusaders
A martyr made into a scenic blur
Lookout into a left behind with wounded pride
No one finds me spellbinding, no one is buying me a drink
I've been fed to the lions
Left high and dry by the 8th circle of hell
Where are the spoils?
I want the ticker tape parade
Damn these filthy rats
Content to graze with familiar stock
A local lard, not an english black
We don't venture into the fog
Homeward bound and gagged not twenty steps from the door
Dispensable as cooks at sea or journalists sent to war
No one found me spellbinding, no one offered me a drink
But by crippled hands at the potters wheel
I was given shape and sex appeal
Sent to work the graveyard shift at heaven's jdc
Legend to the peasants there
Lies that caught me unaware
I've wandered into your graces, so how do I get out?
I want out
It's been quiet for too long
But pompous phrases and alarms can't help you now
And every pervert outside of every fence has had his fill of your kids
He's clocking out
Such indecisive crusaders
A martyr made into a scenic blur
Lookout into a left behind with wounded pride
No one finds me spellbinding, no one is buying me a drink
I've been fed to the lions
Left high and dry by the 8th circle of hell
Where are the spoils?
I want the ticker tape parade
Damn these filthy rats
Lyrics submitted by Elective Amnesia
Grudge Music [Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Jordan Taylor Buckley Andrew John Williams
Lyrics © MOTHERSHIP MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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To me, this sounds a little bit like he (the narrator) knew he would be going to Hell when he died, and was expecting to be the life of the party when he got there, but once he did nobody cared. He wasn't important because his sins were petty and there are many others who were much worse.