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.
[Verse 1]
Story starts, quiet town
Small town boy, big time frown
Never talks, never plays
Different path, lost his way
The streets are red, red i'm afraid
There's no confetti, no parade
Nothing happens in this boring place
But oh by God, how it all did change
[Pre-chorus]
Now they all pray
Blood stain wash away
[Chorus]
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
I heard him
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
All things wash away
But blood stained the sun red today
[Verse 2]
I always said, something wrong
With little strange Ronnie Long
Never laughed, never smiled
He talked alone for miles and miles and miles
Gallows call, son I say
Keep your smile, and laugh all day
Think once again in this boring place
For little boys, how they soon change
[Pre-chorus]
Now they all pray
Blood stains wash away
[Chorus]
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
Yeah, I heard him
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
All things wash away
But blood stained the sun red today
Yeah
[Bridge]
Yeah, well all the green things died
When Ronnie moved to this place
He said, don't you dare ask
Why I'm cursed to wear this face
Now we all know why
Children called him Ronnie Frown
When he pulled that gun from his pocket
And they'd all fall down, down, down
[Chorus]
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
Yeah, yeah, I heard him
He screamed, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
All things wash away
But blood stained the sun red today
[Outro]
That's right
All things wash away
And they'd all fall down
But blood stained the sun today
Yeah, yeah
All things wash away
And they'd all fall down
But blood stained the sun today
Story starts, quiet town
Small town boy, big time frown
Never talks, never plays
Different path, lost his way
The streets are red, red i'm afraid
There's no confetti, no parade
Nothing happens in this boring place
But oh by God, how it all did change
[Pre-chorus]
Now they all pray
Blood stain wash away
[Chorus]
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
I heard him
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
All things wash away
But blood stained the sun red today
[Verse 2]
I always said, something wrong
With little strange Ronnie Long
Never laughed, never smiled
He talked alone for miles and miles and miles
Gallows call, son I say
Keep your smile, and laugh all day
Think once again in this boring place
For little boys, how they soon change
[Pre-chorus]
Now they all pray
Blood stains wash away
[Chorus]
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
Yeah, I heard him
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
All things wash away
But blood stained the sun red today
Yeah
[Bridge]
Yeah, well all the green things died
When Ronnie moved to this place
He said, don't you dare ask
Why I'm cursed to wear this face
Now we all know why
Children called him Ronnie Frown
When he pulled that gun from his pocket
And they'd all fall down, down, down
[Chorus]
He said, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
Yeah, yeah, I heard him
He screamed, lost my way
This bloody day
Lost my way
All things wash away
But blood stained the sun red today
[Outro]
That's right
All things wash away
And they'd all fall down
But blood stained the sun today
Yeah, yeah
All things wash away
And they'd all fall down
But blood stained the sun today
Lyrics submitted by fennsk, edited by Ashram, AvengedToolica
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Guitar sounds really cool. I think Kirk used a Fender Tricaster and its hard to get the same sound using any other guitar