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.
You may as well keep your belly full
For the time may come when you'll rely on the layer of fat
That separates you from the rabid dog and the common fly
To a less demanding place on your spine
I feel you shift my weight around
I squirm and roll beneath your flesh
Just like the guy you met in town
He's yelling at the parking lot
Throwing beer cans down the stairs
Driving home to Mom and Dad
To spend a weekend with no cares
For the time may come when you'll rely on the layer of fat
That separates you from the rabid dog and the common fly
To a less demanding place on your spine
I feel you shift my weight around
I squirm and roll beneath your flesh
Just like the guy you met in town
He's yelling at the parking lot
Throwing beer cans down the stairs
Driving home to Mom and Dad
To spend a weekend with no cares
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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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tthe jam at the end of this is a Split Open nd Melt jam taken from a show... its more important than that though. for a while all their jams started going dry, and they all felt like they couldn't reach that certain point in their jams we all nkow and love... finally one night they went about jamming in a different way and this SOAM was the result... it symolized a rejuvenaion of their passion and unity as a band. they put the jam on the album for personal reasons, more than anything. idk if the hebrew part was added in after or if it was just part of the jam, cuz they cover that song in full a lot anyway