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.
Love and hate was in the air
Like pollen from a flower
Somewhere in April time
They add another hour
I guess I better think up a way to spend my time
Just when I'm ready to sit inside, it's summertime
Should I go swimming or get a friend to hang around
It's back to summer, it's back to basics, hang around
Getting drunk out on the beach
Or playing in a band
And getting out of school
Meant getting out of hand
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Then the sun disintegrates
Between a wall of clouds
I summer where I winter at
No one is allowed there
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
When summer barely had a snowball's chance in hell?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Like pollen from a flower
Somewhere in April time
They add another hour
I guess I better think up a way to spend my time
Just when I'm ready to sit inside, it's summertime
Should I go swimming or get a friend to hang around
It's back to summer, it's back to basics, hang around
Getting drunk out on the beach
Or playing in a band
And getting out of school
Meant getting out of hand
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Then the sun disintegrates
Between a wall of clouds
I summer where I winter at
No one is allowed there
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
When summer barely had a snowball's chance in hell?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Was this your celebrated summer?
Do you remember when the first snowfall fell?
Was that your celebrated summer?
Lyrics submitted by GoKillMice, edited by elwyn5150
Celebrated Summer Lyrics as written by Robert Arthur Mould
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I've somewhat recently gotten into Husker Du, and while I learned to appreciate their stuff a good bit, once I heard this song I was speechless.
This is the kind of song that is so beautiful it will change somebodies life. Wow.
@mtj027 Yeah I think I get what you’re saying. Husker Du didn’t hit me as immediately as, say, The replacements. Or maybe The Ramones is a more apt comparison; the Ramones have a 60s/surf/bubblegum vibe to a lot of their songs/sound, and I feel like they share quite a bit to how the rhythm guitars are played, of course Husker covered Sheena, a fitting cover. As was Eight Miles High, but the Byrds’ comparison I’ll save for another time. The driving/ buzzing guitars notwithstanding, Husker has a more bittersweet sound than, say, the Ramones’ bubblegum, I think Mould’s songs are like that, anyway, and sometimes it just knocks me on my ass. Celebrated Summer is one of those moments/songs.