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.
So he's lying on top again
Just like Gepetto and his doll.
And he's running around again,
And I can't get him out of this house.
And if you bore him,
You lose your soul to me.
So that kid from the bad home
Came over to my house again,
Decapitated all my dolls.
And if you bore me,
You lose your soul to me.
Hey Gepetto,
Where'd you put it?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
Hey Gepetto, where'd you put it?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
And if you bore him,
You're gonna lose your soul.
Hey Gepetto, where'd you get to?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
Hey Gepetto, where'd you get to?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
Hey Gepetto, what'd you get me?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
So he's lying on top again,
Just like Gepetto.
Just like Gepetto and his doll.
And he's running around again,
And I can't get him out of this house.
And if you bore him,
You lose your soul to me.
So that kid from the bad home
Came over to my house again,
Decapitated all my dolls.
And if you bore me,
You lose your soul to me.
Hey Gepetto,
Where'd you put it?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
Hey Gepetto, where'd you put it?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
And if you bore him,
You're gonna lose your soul.
Hey Gepetto, where'd you get to?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
Hey Gepetto, where'd you get to?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
Hey Gepetto, what'd you get me?
Oh Gepetto, poor boy.
So he's lying on top again,
Just like Gepetto.
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
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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.”
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Great version of a great song,
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The picture the song paints for me is of a child, sorely neglected at home that adopts a surrogate family down the street. He becomes the little brother that noone wanted, annoying, constantly needing approval and/or attention but so innocent and sincere in his affections that you can help but take him into your heart.
I'm not so sure about that. That could be, but I think that I perceive something a little more risqué.
He's lying on top. He's like Gepetto. Gepetto created Pinocchio. Notice the play on lying. He's lying on top of a doll. He's working with his wood. He lies and something grows. I can see an interpretation of this where this is kind of a bad boy from the neighborhood who is sleeping around and the girls competing for him better keep him entertained. But I'm not sure and I'm curious what others think about this song.
@Matt2h yeah I'm inclined to think that there's something more risqué, or maybe even darker than what the first commenter wrote (although that has some merit as well).<br /> <br /> I'm not sure about keeping the 'bad boy' entertained though - you lose your soul to the narrator of the song, not to the kid from the bad home.
I think the song is about being dominated/controlled (by her boyfriend, called Gepetto).
Gepetto is lying on top and he makes/controls puppets.
She can´t get rid of him and she risks losing herself completely.
I know it´s perhaps too simple and doesn´t explain the thing about boring Gepetto. But I think it´s along those lines