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.
I made you laugh, I made you cry
I made you open up your eyes
Didn't I?
I helped you open out your wings
Your legs, and many other things
Didn't I?
Am I the greatest bastard that you know?
The only one who let you go?
The one you hurt so much you cannot bear?
Well, we were good, when we were good
When we were not misunderstood
You helped me love, you helped me live
You helped me learn how to forgive
Didn't you?
I wish that I could say the same
But when you left, you left the blame
Didn't you?
Am I the greatest bastard that you met?
The only one you can't forget?
Am I the one your truth's been waiting for?
Or am I just dreaming once again?
Some dreams are better when they end
Some make it, mistake it
Some force and some will fake it
I never meant to let you down
Some fret it, forget it
Some ruin and some regret it
I never meant to let you down
We learn to wag and tuck our tails
We learn to win and then to fail
Didn't we?
We learn that lovers love to sing
And that losers love to cling
Didn't we?
Am I the greatest bastard that you know?
When will we learn to let this go?
We fought so much, we've broken all the charm
But letting go is not the same
As pushing someone else away
So please don't let on
You don't know me
Please don't let on
I'm not here
Please don't let on
You don't love me
'Cause I know you do
I know
That some make it, mistake it
Some force and some will fake it
I never meant to let you down
Some fret it, forget it
Some ruin and some regret it
I never meant to let you down
I never meant to let you
I never meant to let you down
I never meant
I made you open up your eyes
Didn't I?
I helped you open out your wings
Your legs, and many other things
Didn't I?
Am I the greatest bastard that you know?
The only one who let you go?
The one you hurt so much you cannot bear?
Well, we were good, when we were good
When we were not misunderstood
You helped me love, you helped me live
You helped me learn how to forgive
Didn't you?
I wish that I could say the same
But when you left, you left the blame
Didn't you?
Am I the greatest bastard that you met?
The only one you can't forget?
Am I the one your truth's been waiting for?
Or am I just dreaming once again?
Some dreams are better when they end
Some make it, mistake it
Some force and some will fake it
I never meant to let you down
Some fret it, forget it
Some ruin and some regret it
I never meant to let you down
We learn to wag and tuck our tails
We learn to win and then to fail
Didn't we?
We learn that lovers love to sing
And that losers love to cling
Didn't we?
Am I the greatest bastard that you know?
When will we learn to let this go?
We fought so much, we've broken all the charm
But letting go is not the same
As pushing someone else away
So please don't let on
You don't know me
Please don't let on
I'm not here
Please don't let on
You don't love me
'Cause I know you do
I know
That some make it, mistake it
Some force and some will fake it
I never meant to let you down
Some fret it, forget it
Some ruin and some regret it
I never meant to let you down
I never meant to let you
I never meant to let you down
I never meant
Lyrics submitted by mikeandersonwa, edited by niteflite01
The Greatest Bastard Lyrics as written by Damien George Rice
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
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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,
When We Were Young
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Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
This song, so full of absolute raw emotion.
During the Dublin gig last week Damien talked about how he asked Lisa to work with him on this album and she said no. At that point he was able to let go and get back to work.
I would love to know which of these songs came after that conversation, this one would certainly be from before it. You can hear the pain in his voice almost, the way he whispers that some dreams are better when they end, wow, shivers.