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.
Morning's come; you've watched the red sun rise,
The LED still flickers in your eyes,
Oh you ought to spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you.
No one's gonna watch you as you go,
From a house you didn't build and can't control,
Oh, you ought to spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare their time for you.
You ought to spare the world your labor
It's been twenty years and no one's told the truth.
So listen, all,
So listen, all,
Don't wait,
Don't wait.
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, oh,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So keep that list of who to thank in mind,
And don't forget the rich ones who were kind,
Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare their time for you.
Why don't you spare their world a traitor,
Take your wager back and leave before you lose.
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So while the sun's coming out,
Cover ground,
Cover ground.
And if you found some love for these clowns,
Turn around,
Turn around.
We had to sleep on the floor of our school gym,
Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin,
To listen,
Listen,
Don't wait, don't wait.
So listen, oh,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
The LED still flickers in your eyes,
Oh you ought to spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare the time for you.
No one's gonna watch you as you go,
From a house you didn't build and can't control,
Oh, you ought to spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare their time for you.
You ought to spare the world your labor
It's been twenty years and no one's told the truth.
So listen, all,
So listen, all,
Don't wait,
Don't wait.
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, oh,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So keep that list of who to thank in mind,
And don't forget the rich ones who were kind,
Oh, you oughta spare your face the razor,
Because no one's gonna spare their time for you.
Why don't you spare their world a traitor,
Take your wager back and leave before you lose.
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So while the sun's coming out,
Cover ground,
Cover ground.
And if you found some love for these clowns,
Turn around,
Turn around.
We had to sleep on the floor of our school gym,
Thinking of you and wondering if anyone else could begin,
To listen,
Listen,
Don't wait, don't wait.
So listen, oh,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
So listen, all,
(Listen, ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Don't wait
(Don't wait ay hey ay hey ay hey)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by bobduck, prayingmantis84, menano, dodgerblue, Toscarp, dqgirl, serenitah
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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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Just a quick thought on the chorus line "spare yourself the razor"..............when you're unemployed and going to interviews and applications, you usually end up shaving each morning so you look descent and presentable.
ooo this