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.
This is Tiger the Lion
Gimme the Knuckles of Frisco
If there's danger in the language,
Gentlemen,
I suggest no further use of
The two-way radio.
'John Cage had come to feel
That art in our time
Was far less important
Than our daily lives,
To which so many'd become
More or less inclined.
The purpose of it's not unique.
Not to build masterpieces
For a delectative elite
But simply to wake to your life.'
You'll be serving the song
When you find out you won't change
Serving the song
Walking the range.
'John Cage had come to feel
Art in our time
Was much less important
Than our daily life
If there's a perpetual plan
For discovery days
Where everyone can take part
In what he called
Purposeless play
And there's a sign of life in this play
Not to get order from chaos
Tell you how to create
But simply to wake to your life.'
You'll be serving the song
When we find out you won't change
Serving the song
Bombing the range
This is Tiger the Lion
Get me Into the Pillows
If you're painted by radar, gentlemen,
There'll be no further use of
The two-way radio
Gimme the Knuckles of Frisco
If there's danger in the language,
Gentlemen,
I suggest no further use of
The two-way radio.
'John Cage had come to feel
That art in our time
Was far less important
Than our daily lives,
To which so many'd become
More or less inclined.
The purpose of it's not unique.
Not to build masterpieces
For a delectative elite
But simply to wake to your life.'
You'll be serving the song
When you find out you won't change
Serving the song
Walking the range.
'John Cage had come to feel
Art in our time
Was much less important
Than our daily life
If there's a perpetual plan
For discovery days
Where everyone can take part
In what he called
Purposeless play
And there's a sign of life in this play
Not to get order from chaos
Tell you how to create
But simply to wake to your life.'
You'll be serving the song
When we find out you won't change
Serving the song
Bombing the range
This is Tiger the Lion
Get me Into the Pillows
If you're painted by radar, gentlemen,
There'll be no further use of
The two-way radio
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Tiger the Lion Lyrics as written by Johnny Fay Gordon Downie
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.”
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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Nobody commented on this? Awesome song. Can't claim to be too familiar with John Cage, but the way Downie sings on this track is quite disturbing, and it's gotta be the hardest song I've ever heard from The Hip.