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 happened one summer, it happened one time
It happened forever, for a short time
A place for a moment, an end to dream
Forever I loved you, forever it seemed
[Chorus: x2]
One summer never ends, one summer never began
It keeps me standing still, it takes all my will
And then suddenly last summer
Sometimes I never leave, but sometimes I would
Sometimes I stay too long, sometimes I would
Sometimes it frightens me, sometimes it would
Sometimes I'm all alone and wish that I could
And then suddenly last summer
[Chorus]
And then suddenly last summer
Until suddenly last summer
And then suddenly last summer
Until suddenly last summer
It happened forever, for a short time
A place for a moment, an end to dream
Forever I loved you, forever it seemed
[Chorus: x2]
One summer never ends, one summer never began
It keeps me standing still, it takes all my will
And then suddenly last summer
Sometimes I never leave, but sometimes I would
Sometimes I stay too long, sometimes I would
Sometimes it frightens me, sometimes it would
Sometimes I'm all alone and wish that I could
And then suddenly last summer
[Chorus]
And then suddenly last summer
Until suddenly last summer
And then suddenly last summer
Until suddenly last summer
Lyrics submitted by lahesperia
Suddenly Last Summer Lyrics as written by Martha Emily Davis
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I was disappointed there was not more information on this song, which I love, but have no idea what the artists were going for when they wrote it. Perhaps that's the best part of a great song, it can mean something different to everyone. I personally had one summer, where my life was transformed by a relationship which eventually ended, so this song always produces a lot of nostalgia in me. Though it was much longer ago than "last summer" the tag-line "and then suddenly, last summer" captures how memories can come out of nowhere and magically transport us back to a happier time. It can take "all of my will" to shake that off, and not get stuck in the past.