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.
Stealing money from the town
Storm's coming, and you've been running from the dark clouds
No one can catch you now
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
I believed it, in the end
I was mistaken
There was a fire on the horizon
Be the first one, to let you in
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
You use Missouri outlaw
Arrows wave the past behind
You use Missouri outlaw
Red horse chase until they die
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Lived forever, stripes of gold
Took the living, reflect your face in every window
There's nothing, to hold you down
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
You use Missouri outlaw
Arrows wave the past behind
You use Missouri outlaw
Red horse chase until they die
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
You use Missouri outlaw
Arrows wave the past behind
You use Missouri outlaw
Red horse chase until they die
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Storm's coming, and you've been running from the dark clouds
No one can catch you now
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
I believed it, in the end
I was mistaken
There was a fire on the horizon
Be the first one, to let you in
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
You use Missouri outlaw
Arrows wave the past behind
You use Missouri outlaw
Red horse chase until they die
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Lived forever, stripes of gold
Took the living, reflect your face in every window
There's nothing, to hold you down
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
It's like no one, no one knows where you came from
You use Missouri outlaw
Arrows wave the past behind
You use Missouri outlaw
Red horse chase until they die
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
You use Missouri outlaw
Arrows wave the past behind
You use Missouri outlaw
Red horse chase until they die
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
Josey Wales, you're like Josey Wales
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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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Page
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