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 don't wanna see and I don't wanna hear
The shadow of the arriving bat
Please don't release me when
You see me falling
Into the moaning grounds of death
I will disband my heart in your hand
Will you tell me - See you soon in a while
When my eyes fade, please give me your smile
And even dark nights are ending in dawn
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
Devour me and fill my heart with courage
Give me wings and camouflage the scar
Rip out my lungs and kill my fever
Bring me back to the alluring grounds of love
Will you tell me - See you soon in a while
When my eyes fade, please give me your smile
And even dark nights are ending in dawn
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
This is not farewell, this is only goodbye
When my lips fade
Please kiss them good night
But even bright days are starting in dawn
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
All the happy faces and
Memories are killing me
Am I already dreaming
Please tell me that I only sleep
Close the circle, come to an end
Metamorphosis begins
Please hold your problems and let me forsake
Metanoia and the laughing grounds of hate
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
The shadow of the arriving bat
Please don't release me when
You see me falling
Into the moaning grounds of death
I will disband my heart in your hand
Will you tell me - See you soon in a while
When my eyes fade, please give me your smile
And even dark nights are ending in dawn
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
Devour me and fill my heart with courage
Give me wings and camouflage the scar
Rip out my lungs and kill my fever
Bring me back to the alluring grounds of love
Will you tell me - See you soon in a while
When my eyes fade, please give me your smile
And even dark nights are ending in dawn
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
This is not farewell, this is only goodbye
When my lips fade
Please kiss them good night
But even bright days are starting in dawn
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
All the happy faces and
Memories are killing me
Am I already dreaming
Please tell me that I only sleep
Close the circle, come to an end
Metamorphosis begins
Please hold your problems and let me forsake
Metanoia and the laughing grounds of hate
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
You'll have time to cry when I'm gone
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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
Blink-182
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.