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 got a question mark
You got a need to always take some shot in the dark
I don't have to make pretend the picture I'm in is totally clear
You think that all things have a way they ought to appear
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean
Panic called you out and took you in
Giving you an easy game and letting you win
You're giving back a little hatred now to the world
'Cause it treated you bad
'cod you couldn't keep the great unknown from making you mad
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean
Said your final word, but honesty and love could've kept us together
One day you'll see it's worth it after all
If you ever want to say you're sorry you can give me a call
You got a need to always take some shot in the dark
I don't have to make pretend the picture I'm in is totally clear
You think that all things have a way they ought to appear
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean
Panic called you out and took you in
Giving you an easy game and letting you win
You're giving back a little hatred now to the world
'Cause it treated you bad
'cod you couldn't keep the great unknown from making you mad
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean
Said your final word, but honesty and love could've kept us together
One day you'll see it's worth it after all
If you ever want to say you're sorry you can give me a call
Lyrics submitted by EnjOy IncUbus, edited by Jate
A Question Mark Lyrics as written by Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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i think this song is refering to people who think they know everything about the world and what people are like and analyse people when they dont really know them. about prejudice and misunderstanding because people never look behind things enough. he's saying he doesnt pre-judge people or life in general, he doesnt take things at face value and he sees what most people dont. at least thats what i got from it...could mean anything.
I couldn't agree more!<br />
DUDE! Totally!<br /> Perfect interpretation.
i know it's a song to an old friend. and i think it's so personal, no one will ever really understand what he means.
@_christina : wonder whether the title is a bit of wordplay. What might have been his friend's name?<br /> <br /> "I've got a question, Mark."<br /> [becomes]<br /> ...A Question Mark
Personally i think alot of elliott's songs are directed at himself in one way or another...
Ahm... I might be wrong , but I clearly hear "You got a need to always take some shot in the dark" in th efirst verse instead of "I got a need to always take some shot in the dark"!!!
yeah i thought so too
wow, maxpowersupreme, i think you got it. i think what people don't understand is the fact that you can never fully get someone, and they judge.......even though they really don't know. actually, i get along really well with other people who listen to and appreciate Elliott, like just that in common tells us we have a common outlook and sorta get and appreciate the same type of things. i'm not judging, and i know everyone is different, but that's a big thing to have in common, and with as many people as Elliott effected it's rare to bump into one on the street. just my opinion.
wow
I think he probably had a girl in his life that put him down, cuz he wasn't the trophy she thought he'd be. She was hurt by someone else who that to her, so now she's got a bad self-esteem. Her attacks are a defense mechanism. She doesn't wanna deal with her own inadequacy, so she tries to live to an image. I've dated girls like this. In fact, I'd say a lot of people are like this. I've never really cared for popular opinion, and people don't always get me. Being able to relate to Elliott is what makes his music so great. He appeals to the human aspect of people, all the superficial BS removed.
said your final word but honesty and love could've kept us together one day you'll see it's worth it, after all if you ever want to say you're sorry you can give me a call,"
BRILLIANT. YES.
I haven't listened to this album in literally years and it's amazing how appropriate this is. definitely one of my favorites. one of my theme songs, as well...
it's like i've always known this tune, just me?? i really want to describe it other than really funky, which it really is it just sounds alive and happy in a not so happy way. this could so easily be depressive, but to make something out of nothing good, its very clever
for some reason, for many many years i kind of assumed (without reflecting deeply on it) that this song was aimed towards his parents. and I really can't explain why.
but now that i'm looking at it closer, i actually think you guys are right about almost everything, only i totally don't get the love-gone-awry thing at all. i think its the same thing as was said, but directed more towards friends. There's something in the phrase "say your final words but honesty and love could have kept us together" does not sound like two lovers
i don't have to make pretend the picture i'm in is totally clear
It was definantly clear what he was in people like to push out there struggles into peoples lives I went throught alot of things he did and hate when people try to justify things that happen to me with there "horrible" life experiences he doesnt need to pretend you can see it yourself.