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.
Happy with no teeth
Happy here in hibernation
Slurpin' on a peach
Starin' at the situation
Kitty on my foot
Meowin' out a conversation
Rockin' back and forth
That's my only destination
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that old man is me!
Got a two string on my lap
Total subsonic vacation
Got chicken on the drums,
Poundin' out a perfect prescription
Got twenty little worms
I'll plug in some amplification
Got fifteen hundred base drum - luggin bug-eyed monkeys
All arriving at the station
I'm sittin on the back porch, kickin' my legs back,
Rockin' in my rocking chair, and sittin' there
On the little back porch is about to fall apart
So I think I might repair it
Just as I'm thinkin' about repairin' it,
Some little friends come along
With some two-string, one-string, no-string guitars
And they all plug em all in to the back porch
And they sit around playin' all their favorite songs
They's kickin' back feelin' real good,
Real fine, real full of the wine
And everything's fine, everything's beautiful,
Everything's great, I just feel so good
You know I'm seventy years old
And I'm slurpin' everything through a straw
Happy here in hibernation
Slurpin' on a peach
Starin' at the situation
Kitty on my foot
Meowin' out a conversation
Rockin' back and forth
That's my only destination
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
Old man on the back porch
And that old man is me!
Got a two string on my lap
Total subsonic vacation
Got chicken on the drums,
Poundin' out a perfect prescription
Got twenty little worms
I'll plug in some amplification
Got fifteen hundred base drum - luggin bug-eyed monkeys
All arriving at the station
I'm sittin on the back porch, kickin' my legs back,
Rockin' in my rocking chair, and sittin' there
On the little back porch is about to fall apart
So I think I might repair it
Just as I'm thinkin' about repairin' it,
Some little friends come along
With some two-string, one-string, no-string guitars
And they all plug em all in to the back porch
And they sit around playin' all their favorite songs
They's kickin' back feelin' real good,
Real fine, real full of the wine
And everything's fine, everything's beautiful,
Everything's great, I just feel so good
You know I'm seventy years old
And I'm slurpin' everything through a straw
Lyrics submitted by carboncentric
Back Porch Lyrics as written by David Michael Dederer Chris Ballew
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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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,
Simple song about growing old. I love these guys.