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.
Got to walk away
Got to walk away
I've got to get away
From this town
Got to get away
It keeps dragging me down
When things get too much for me
I buried myself
When I didn't want to see
Sedated myself
Insulated, isolated
I couldn't help myself
I should've walked away
I should've walked away
And why was it we who were burdened
With the duty to destroy everything?
Couldn't even find the strength
To give a friend a ring
Insulated, isolated
I couldn't walk away
I should've walked away
Couldn't find the strength
I should've walked away
I should've walked away
I should've walked away
Walked away
I should've walked away
Walked away
I should've walked away
Walked away
I should've walked away
I couldn't walk away
Got to walk away
I've got to get away
From this town
Got to get away
It keeps dragging me down
When things get too much for me
I buried myself
When I didn't want to see
Sedated myself
Insulated, isolated
I couldn't help myself
I should've walked away
I should've walked away
And why was it we who were burdened
With the duty to destroy everything?
Couldn't even find the strength
To give a friend a ring
Insulated, isolated
I couldn't walk away
I should've walked away
Couldn't find the strength
I should've walked away
I should've walked away
I should've walked away
Walked away
I should've walked away
Walked away
I should've walked away
Walked away
I should've walked away
I couldn't walk away
Lyrics submitted by bloodisthin
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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,
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