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.
Holy water on the brain and I'm losin' sleep
Holy Bible on the night stand next to me
As I'm raped by another monkey circus freak
Tryin' to take my indigence away from me, from me yeah
Holy water is rustin' me, yeah
Holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me, rustin' me
Bloody murder is the best I've heard her scream
Holy devil in the flesh some might believe
And they take thine majesty so seriously
'Cause it's the big lies more likely to be believed, believed
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me
Rustin' me, yeah
Damn the water if its life, you want to drink
Mind your mother if it makes you feel at ease
As you're raped by another monkey circus freak
'Cause its the big lies are more likely to be believed, believed
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me
Rustin' me
Rustin' me
Rustin' me, yeah
Rustin' me
Holy Bible on the night stand next to me
As I'm raped by another monkey circus freak
Tryin' to take my indigence away from me, from me yeah
Holy water is rustin' me, yeah
Holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me, rustin' me
Bloody murder is the best I've heard her scream
Holy devil in the flesh some might believe
And they take thine majesty so seriously
'Cause it's the big lies more likely to be believed, believed
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me
Rustin' me, yeah
Damn the water if its life, you want to drink
Mind your mother if it makes you feel at ease
As you're raped by another monkey circus freak
'Cause its the big lies are more likely to be believed, believed
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me
Yeah, holy water is rustin' me, is rustin' me
Rustin' me
Rustin' me
Rustin' me, yeah
Rustin' me
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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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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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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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Ed Sheeran
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Yeah, I really love Cornell's sarcastic attitude towards all religion. He was brought up with strictly religious parents and schooling, and in his music, he seems to be rebelling from this. That is a recurring theme in his music.