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.
Sometimes I wake up early to say goodbye
Just in case you don't come back.
I know the coffee leaves by car,
Because it goes fast really far.
Then that's where you are.
And soon the room can't tell you were here,
And there's dust in my hair
And dusty air has gone crazy for something late in the year,
And water everywhere.
Sometimes I wake up early to say hello,
Tell you everything you already know.
So early I start watching the bed,
Where we are attacked and we are one.
We come all undone.
When I come around,
Some lost and some found,
I know you'll be here on the ground when I come around.
I'll come around come around come around then I'll go around.
Very Emergency, SOS.
Just in case you don't come back.
I know the coffee leaves by car,
Because it goes fast really far.
Then that's where you are.
And soon the room can't tell you were here,
And there's dust in my hair
And dusty air has gone crazy for something late in the year,
And water everywhere.
Sometimes I wake up early to say hello,
Tell you everything you already know.
So early I start watching the bed,
Where we are attacked and we are one.
We come all undone.
When I come around,
Some lost and some found,
I know you'll be here on the ground when I come around.
I'll come around come around come around then I'll go around.
Very Emergency, SOS.
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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.”
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There's a video?! I've been thinking ever since I heard this song, "They should really make a video for this!"