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.
Nickee Coco woke up early one Tuesday morning
And decided to go for a walk in the tomato field behind her house.
As she was walking along she saw a magnificently tall invisible tree
And decided to climb up on it.
She found the foliage covered branches
So comfortable that she fell fast asleep.
She was still asleep when nightfall came
And her mother became frantic with worry.
She ran from house to house asking everyone she saw
If they had seen Nickee or knew where she was.
Soon the whole town was aware of Nickee's disappearance
And they immediately started the search.
And so the search began
Everybody was looking for Nickee Coco
They looked on rooftops and in trees in the park
Mr. Temboley even shouted down the well
"Nickee Coco if you are down there give a yell"
But he didn't hear a yell
And so the search went on
Everybody was still looking for Nickee Coco
They asked the stuttering organ grinder in the square
Who said "No no no no
I hav-hav-haven't heard a thi-thing
But the second that I-I-I d-d-do I'll gi-gi-give a ring
Oh-oh-oh the poor poor poor little thing"
All the while Nickee was curled up fast asleep
Very peaceful in her invisible tree
Eating mangos in a dream
And so the search went on
All the while Nickee was curled up fast asleep
No longer peaceful in her invisible tree
Being chased by antelopes in a dream
And so the search went on
They're wondering if they'll ever find Nickee Coco
Nickee's mother asked Miss Colvendom in tears
"Margaret tell me what on earth I've done
To deserve losing my sweet beloved one?
What could I have possibly done?"
Many weeks passed
And though some people were beginning to lose hope
They all kept searching and never did Nickee leave their thoughts.
One day an owl happened to fly past Nickee
Still sleeping soundly up in the invisible tree
And rushed back to tell the townspeople.
After an owl translator was called in
And the owl's wonderful message was understood
The whole town joyously followed the owl back to the invisible tree
Where little Nickee was still fast asleep.
They all cheered when they saw her
And Nickee finally awoke as they lifted her above their heads
And marched victoriously back into town where they had a huge party
In honor of her return and sang this song
Nickee Coco and the Invisible Tree we love you Nickee Coco
We were so sad when we thought we had lost you
Nickee Coco now we're so happy
Because at last
We found you
We found you
We love you
And decided to go for a walk in the tomato field behind her house.
As she was walking along she saw a magnificently tall invisible tree
And decided to climb up on it.
She found the foliage covered branches
So comfortable that she fell fast asleep.
She was still asleep when nightfall came
And her mother became frantic with worry.
She ran from house to house asking everyone she saw
If they had seen Nickee or knew where she was.
Soon the whole town was aware of Nickee's disappearance
And they immediately started the search.
And so the search began
Everybody was looking for Nickee Coco
They looked on rooftops and in trees in the park
Mr. Temboley even shouted down the well
"Nickee Coco if you are down there give a yell"
But he didn't hear a yell
And so the search went on
Everybody was still looking for Nickee Coco
They asked the stuttering organ grinder in the square
Who said "No no no no
I hav-hav-haven't heard a thi-thing
But the second that I-I-I d-d-do I'll gi-gi-give a ring
Oh-oh-oh the poor poor poor little thing"
All the while Nickee was curled up fast asleep
Very peaceful in her invisible tree
Eating mangos in a dream
And so the search went on
All the while Nickee was curled up fast asleep
No longer peaceful in her invisible tree
Being chased by antelopes in a dream
And so the search went on
They're wondering if they'll ever find Nickee Coco
Nickee's mother asked Miss Colvendom in tears
"Margaret tell me what on earth I've done
To deserve losing my sweet beloved one?
What could I have possibly done?"
Many weeks passed
And though some people were beginning to lose hope
They all kept searching and never did Nickee leave their thoughts.
One day an owl happened to fly past Nickee
Still sleeping soundly up in the invisible tree
And rushed back to tell the townspeople.
After an owl translator was called in
And the owl's wonderful message was understood
The whole town joyously followed the owl back to the invisible tree
Where little Nickee was still fast asleep.
They all cheered when they saw her
And Nickee finally awoke as they lifted her above their heads
And marched victoriously back into town where they had a huge party
In honor of her return and sang this song
Nickee Coco and the Invisible Tree we love you Nickee Coco
We were so sad when we thought we had lost you
Nickee Coco now we're so happy
Because at last
We found you
We found you
We love you
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I don’t know whether to feel bad for poor Nickee for being torn from her lovely tree or happy that she was found.
I wish they had given Nickee's perspective on being found.
This song puts a smile on my face.
I think that Nickee was ready to be found after her sleep was no longer peaceful (No longer peaceful in her invisible tree/Being chased by antelopes in a dream).<br /> <br /> I adore this song. So much. Can't wait to read this as a bedtime story to my kids someday.