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.
Well, me and my lady had our first big fight
So I drove around 'til I saw the neon lights
Of a corner bar and it just seemed right so I pulled up
Not a soul around but the old bar keep
Down at the end lookin' half asleep
But he walked up and said, "What'll it be?"
I said, "The good stuff"
He didn't reach around for the Whiskey
He didn't pour me a Beer
His blue eyes kinda went misty
He said, "You can't find that here"
'Cause it's the first long kiss on a second date
Momma's all worried when you get home late
And droppin' the ring in the spaghetti plate
'Cause you're hands are shakin' so much
And it's the way that she looks with the rice in her hair
Eatin' burnt suppers the whole first year
And askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up
Yeah man, that's the good stuff
He grabbed a carton of milk and he poured a glass
And I smiled and said, "I'll have some of that"
We sat there and talked as an hour passed like old friends
I saw a black and white picture and it caught my stare
It was a pretty girl with bouffant hair
He said, "That's my Bonnie, taken 'bout a year after we wed"
He said, "I spent five years in the bar when the cancer took her from me"
"But I've been sober three years now"
"'Cause the one thing's stronger than the Whiskey"
Was the sight of her holdin' my baby girl
The way she adored that string of pearls
I gave her the day that our youngest boy Earl
Married his high school love
And it's a new t-shirt sayin' I'm a grandpa
Bein' right there as our time got small
And holdin' her hand when good the Lord called her up
Yeah man that's the good stuff
He said, "When you get home she'll start to cry"
"When she says, I'm sorry, say so am I"
"Look into those eyes so deep in love and drink it up"
"'Cause that's the good stuff"
That's the good stuff
So I drove around 'til I saw the neon lights
Of a corner bar and it just seemed right so I pulled up
Not a soul around but the old bar keep
Down at the end lookin' half asleep
But he walked up and said, "What'll it be?"
I said, "The good stuff"
He didn't reach around for the Whiskey
He didn't pour me a Beer
His blue eyes kinda went misty
He said, "You can't find that here"
'Cause it's the first long kiss on a second date
Momma's all worried when you get home late
And droppin' the ring in the spaghetti plate
'Cause you're hands are shakin' so much
And it's the way that she looks with the rice in her hair
Eatin' burnt suppers the whole first year
And askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up
Yeah man, that's the good stuff
He grabbed a carton of milk and he poured a glass
And I smiled and said, "I'll have some of that"
We sat there and talked as an hour passed like old friends
I saw a black and white picture and it caught my stare
It was a pretty girl with bouffant hair
He said, "That's my Bonnie, taken 'bout a year after we wed"
He said, "I spent five years in the bar when the cancer took her from me"
"But I've been sober three years now"
"'Cause the one thing's stronger than the Whiskey"
Was the sight of her holdin' my baby girl
The way she adored that string of pearls
I gave her the day that our youngest boy Earl
Married his high school love
And it's a new t-shirt sayin' I'm a grandpa
Bein' right there as our time got small
And holdin' her hand when good the Lord called her up
Yeah man that's the good stuff
He said, "When you get home she'll start to cry"
"When she says, I'm sorry, say so am I"
"Look into those eyes so deep in love and drink it up"
"'Cause that's the good stuff"
That's the good stuff
Lyrics submitted by jdeeregirloh
The Good Stuff Lyrics as written by Jim Collins Craig Wiseman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song means "Don't take advantage of the things that you have right now." And the good stuff isn't always there.
I adore this song so much. Don't take for granted what you have because someday it may be gone. When I get married, I want it to be exactly like this, if being that perfect is possible.
When I hear this song, I think of riding in an old pick up truck with a guy who I was so in love with and his best friend and those two young men just singing their hearts out. It's a song that every generation can appreciate. The young generation is looking forward to all of "the good stuff" and the older generations are glad they've lived it.
I LOVE KENNY CHESNEY AND THIS SONG ROX!!
I love this song- it's so real and true. It makes me appreciate the important things in life! GO KENNY!!
well, I used to hate country and everything about it...but come on, who doesn't like to kick back with some beer listening to kenny chesney? especially this song! one of my friends plays it on guitar when we're all drinkin...its a great song..and i've learned to love it. I think its just about concentrating on the little things in life, and the bartender is telling kenny chesney about how he lost his wife...
wow... such hate... shakes head in disgust this song is beautiful.
THANKS.ANYWAYS,i love this song and its about not taking things for granted and stuff like that.I love Kenny.<p><b><i>Edited by Matty on December 6 2005, at 05:44AM</i></b></p>
anways..this song is about how kenny got into a fight w/ his chick..and goes to a bar to blow off some steam...then the bar tender tells him that he needs to apologize to his g/f, and not end up like he did becoming an alcoholic and not getting to really be with her kuz the good stuff is actually being there with her...and inlove
-- Edit: Removed Inappropriate comments.. --<p><b><i>Edited by Matty on December 6 2005, at 05:42AM</i></b></p>
why dont we just ignore people like accrazy003 cause all he wants to do is have peple pissed of at him. anyway its is a great song. with a lot of meaning and heart. i love it