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.
Endless flow of water
Slipping through the spray
Glistens in the moon bright
Steals from wave to wave
Silent from the surface
Catching in the space
A breath before returning
To the graceful silky sway
Gliding ‘cross a mirror
Of our ever-twisting fate
Over and over
Above and below
Will you pity us
When we’re here alone?
Over and over
Around and around
Will you pity us
When we’ve run aground?
Careless and indifferent
We fail to watch the tide
Creeping up our bow of luxury
Inside we sit without a word
For fear
Of what we might hear ourselves say
And then we’d have to change
Cover the picture
Turn away your gaze
Slipping through the spray
Glistens in the moon bright
Steals from wave to wave
Silent from the surface
Catching in the space
A breath before returning
To the graceful silky sway
Gliding ‘cross a mirror
Of our ever-twisting fate
Over and over
Above and below
Will you pity us
When we’re here alone?
Over and over
Around and around
Will you pity us
When we’ve run aground?
Careless and indifferent
We fail to watch the tide
Creeping up our bow of luxury
Inside we sit without a word
For fear
Of what we might hear ourselves say
And then we’d have to change
Cover the picture
Turn away your gaze
Lyrics submitted by username-ben
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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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