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.
It's a cold, cold moon out tonight
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a lonely road to travel on
but i've stood waiting much too long
and i'd rather leave this minute than try to carry on
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
headed eastbound on the track
i'd 40 miles from denver
and trying to get back
to that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a cold, cold moon out tonight
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a lonely road to travel on
but i've stood waiting much too long
and i'd rather leave this minute than try to carry on
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
headed eastbound on the track
i'd 40 miles from denver
and trying to get back
to that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
it's a cold, cold moon out tonight
and it's a cold, cold point on your knife
could i call myself a man if i left by the morning light
and i'd be 40 miles from denver
when you woke up all alone
i'd be 40 miles from denver
and three days from my home
in that cool mountain air
on an appalachian trail
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
oh, life is better there
Lyrics submitted by EJB92
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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,
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Page
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