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.
She spent twenty years in the Dakota
Every single day it was black in the Dakota
Riot grrrls think you can stop me
And you're forever in her debt
Well I know you haven't sent me
And you haven't sent her yet
She spent twenty years like a virus
They want to burn the witch who's inside us
Well you, you don't fuck with the fabulous four
Or you spend the rest of your life
Picking things up off the floor
She's still alive but I am sure
That all the stars belong to her
On California king-sized beds
She's wrapped in rags inside my head
This is the story, this is the story of someone who's wild
Big black rules, pearl, life
(I don't remember, I forget)
Oh, baby dry your dirty eyes
My water breaks like turpentine
The pee girl burns to be a bride
Your ever lovely suicide
Are they coming for me
Are they coming soon
Hey Jude, hey Jude
Are they coming for me
Judy, Judy
Are they coming soon
(I don't remember, I forget)
The pee girl burns to be a bride
Your ever lovely suicide
I don't remember, I forget
Every single day it was black in the Dakota
Riot grrrls think you can stop me
And you're forever in her debt
Well I know you haven't sent me
And you haven't sent her yet
She spent twenty years like a virus
They want to burn the witch who's inside us
Well you, you don't fuck with the fabulous four
Or you spend the rest of your life
Picking things up off the floor
She's still alive but I am sure
That all the stars belong to her
On California king-sized beds
She's wrapped in rags inside my head
This is the story, this is the story of someone who's wild
Big black rules, pearl, life
(I don't remember, I forget)
Oh, baby dry your dirty eyes
My water breaks like turpentine
The pee girl burns to be a bride
Your ever lovely suicide
Are they coming for me
Are they coming soon
Hey Jude, hey Jude
Are they coming for me
Judy, Judy
Are they coming soon
(I don't remember, I forget)
The pee girl burns to be a bride
Your ever lovely suicide
I don't remember, I forget
Lyrics submitted by ShiverForMe, edited by scottdoesntknow628
20 Years in the Dakota Lyrics as written by Eric T. Erlandson Courtney M Love
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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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.
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1990? Ummm no - I believe it was 1994, and it was suicide (tell all your Kurt friends that too..). You think ur a Kurt Cobain fan but you have just shown how little you know about him or his wife. Thats what annoys me so much about all the Kurt fans - they are quick to diss Courtney (btw I enjoy both of their music - but prefer Courtney and Hole over Nirvana), when they haven't got the slightest clue about her life or what she has been through. She was not just a male, I have seen you write that on this site before - stop it before some people start to believe you... Courtney's mother was called Linda, though she doesn't have much to do with her (since her early childhood). Get your facts straight...