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 know a carpenter, I know a laborer
He is my teacher, he is my brother
I have a neighbor, he is my savior
I know a carpenter, I know a laborer
He is my teacher, he is my brother
I have a neighbor, he is my savior
He doesn't waver, he's a strong believer
I know a business man, he scrapped his business plan
While screaming fuck the man, he gave into the land.
They are all archetypes, people that I might like to be
Just like in a completely different way
and we all...all
We're coming out of our caves, Coming out of our cave
and we all...
We're coming out of our caves, Coming out of our caves
I know a farmer, I know his vision I know his struggle, I know his hope know a futurist, he is an optimist and he knows a young waitress and he's trying to coax her out of her cave
by smiling, by winking by saying you know it's good for us to talk, yeah it's good to talk.
I know a father, I loved his daughter
I told him never would I forsake her
But I got home too late, from one of my escapades
No woman to face, just a note that said baby I've sailed away right out of my cave
Caught a swell, caught a wave To another inspiring place my friend the bureaucrat, he just accepts all that
Which I cannot except, such frustration that I wept For my friend the taxman, he is my father and he tallies numbers all day, yes he knows his numbers you could say! He taxes income! I asked him how come?
"You know I work hard for every penny don't you think I deserve it all?" "Oh the law, the law, the law son there are flaws in the law
but, in the end I just answer to God boy I'm just doing my job!"
My friend the astronomer she is a stargazer
I swear they talk to her, boy I wish I knew what they were saying while I was laying in her bed with her chest to my head..were our intentions misread? So I just said it, I said, "baby
I'm a nobody I aint got no money!
Just this ambition to tell the people we are equal so c'mon baby come out of your cave"
Ahhh ahhh ahhh
Catch a swell catch a wave to another inspiring place
Were all, all all coming out of our caves.
He is my teacher, he is my brother
I have a neighbor, he is my savior
I know a carpenter, I know a laborer
He is my teacher, he is my brother
I have a neighbor, he is my savior
He doesn't waver, he's a strong believer
I know a business man, he scrapped his business plan
While screaming fuck the man, he gave into the land.
They are all archetypes, people that I might like to be
Just like in a completely different way
and we all...all
We're coming out of our caves, Coming out of our cave
and we all...
We're coming out of our caves, Coming out of our caves
I know a farmer, I know his vision I know his struggle, I know his hope know a futurist, he is an optimist and he knows a young waitress and he's trying to coax her out of her cave
by smiling, by winking by saying you know it's good for us to talk, yeah it's good to talk.
I know a father, I loved his daughter
I told him never would I forsake her
But I got home too late, from one of my escapades
No woman to face, just a note that said baby I've sailed away right out of my cave
Caught a swell, caught a wave To another inspiring place my friend the bureaucrat, he just accepts all that
Which I cannot except, such frustration that I wept For my friend the taxman, he is my father and he tallies numbers all day, yes he knows his numbers you could say! He taxes income! I asked him how come?
"You know I work hard for every penny don't you think I deserve it all?" "Oh the law, the law, the law son there are flaws in the law
but, in the end I just answer to God boy I'm just doing my job!"
My friend the astronomer she is a stargazer
I swear they talk to her, boy I wish I knew what they were saying while I was laying in her bed with her chest to my head..were our intentions misread? So I just said it, I said, "baby
I'm a nobody I aint got no money!
Just this ambition to tell the people we are equal so c'mon baby come out of your cave"
Ahhh ahhh ahhh
Catch a swell catch a wave to another inspiring place
Were all, all all coming out of our caves.
Lyrics submitted by liniwa
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@sweetlove311 thank you.
i've never heard such a song to match my life. I love that it shows gratitude to those who have helped along the way. the trials and tribulations of life, the ones we disappoint, the ones we inspire. such is life. beautiful
PS. Scrap the business plan, scream fuck the man and give into the land!