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.
Deep in the South of Texas
Not so long ago,
There on a crowded island
In the Gulf of Mexico
It didn't take too much money,
Man, but it sure was nice.
You could dance all night if you felt all right,
Drinking whiskey and throwing dice.
And everybody knows
It was hard to leave.
And everybody knows
It was down at the Balinese.
Yeah, I remember Ruby,
She always dressed in red
Wearing skintight pants, Lord, and how she could dance
With a rag wrapped around her head.
And everybody knows
It was hard to leave.
And everybody knows
It was down at the Balinese.
And everybody knows
It was hard to leave.
And everybody knows
It was down at the Balinese,
It was down at the Balinese,
It was down at the Balinese.
Not so long ago,
There on a crowded island
In the Gulf of Mexico
It didn't take too much money,
Man, but it sure was nice.
You could dance all night if you felt all right,
Drinking whiskey and throwing dice.
And everybody knows
It was hard to leave.
And everybody knows
It was down at the Balinese.
Yeah, I remember Ruby,
She always dressed in red
Wearing skintight pants, Lord, and how she could dance
With a rag wrapped around her head.
And everybody knows
It was hard to leave.
And everybody knows
It was down at the Balinese.
And everybody knows
It was hard to leave.
And everybody knows
It was down at the Balinese,
It was down at the Balinese,
It was down at the Balinese.
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Balinese Lyrics as written by Billy Gibbons Frank Beard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is about the legendary Balinese Room in Galveston, TX. It was destroyed when Hurricane Ike hit Texas last weekend.
Drinking, dancing, gambling joint in Galveston...
What? ZZ Top is an awesome band, and I know that this song should be a least a hit.
I heard this first on the 1993 film, "Dazed and Confused". Now I have the album, "Fandango" which it's on.
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@Pink_Floyd_fan oh Hell yes. Great song.<br /> <br /> Too bad the place got destroyed. Frank Sinatra, the Marx Brothers and others used to hang there.