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 went to see my grandma today
I learned the difference between
Living and alive
Wall to wall roaches in a two by four infested room
Lying there in pain
Praying for the Lord to take her
Nora I hope it won't be too long for you
Nora all these years you've been so strong
Nora I hope you don't mind if I call you Nora
I love you
After leaving her, I turned my life around
I see new life differently
Through the vision of the old
Oh, material things don't mean that much to me
I guess I learned that I'm just
Glad to be alive and healthy
Nora all this time that you have known me
Nora it took your whole life just to show me
Nora how we take some things for granted
Nora, Nora, Nora, I love you
And though I know there wasn't long to go
Time was something that we shared
And when you died I didn't cry for long
'Cause I believe I'll see you again
Nora I'll see you on the other side
Nora I'll be the one with swallowed pride
Nora are you sure you don't mind if I call you
Nora, Nora, I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you
I learned the difference between
Living and alive
Wall to wall roaches in a two by four infested room
Lying there in pain
Praying for the Lord to take her
Nora I hope it won't be too long for you
Nora all these years you've been so strong
Nora I hope you don't mind if I call you Nora
I love you
After leaving her, I turned my life around
I see new life differently
Through the vision of the old
Oh, material things don't mean that much to me
I guess I learned that I'm just
Glad to be alive and healthy
Nora all this time that you have known me
Nora it took your whole life just to show me
Nora how we take some things for granted
Nora, Nora, Nora, I love you
And though I know there wasn't long to go
Time was something that we shared
And when you died I didn't cry for long
'Cause I believe I'll see you again
Nora I'll see you on the other side
Nora I'll be the one with swallowed pride
Nora are you sure you don't mind if I call you
Nora, Nora, I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Nora Lyrics as written by Eliot Walker Sloan Charles P Roth
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, THE RECORD BREAKERS, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Well it is about his grandmother, so I supposed he is asking her if he can call her by her name rather than "grandma". I think everyone who has lost someone severely close to them has gone through similar emotions, pretty easy to relate to.