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.
I'm coming down, coming down like a monkey
But it's alright
Like a load on your back that you can't see
Oh, but it's alright
Try to shake it loose, cut it free
Just let it go, just get it away from me, oh
'Cause tonight, tonight, tonight,oh
I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
I'm going down, going down like a monkey
Ooh, but it's alright
Try to pick yourself up
Carry that weight that you can't see
But don't you know it's alright
It's like a helter skelter
Going down and down, round and round
But just get it away from me, oh
Because tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
We're gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
I got some money in my pocket
About ready to burn
I don't remember where I got it
I gotta get it to you
So please answer the phone
'Cause I keep calling but you're never home
What am I gonna do
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
You keep telling me I've got everything
You say I've got everything I want
You keep telling me you're gonna help me
You're gonna help me, but you don't
But now I'm in too deep
You see it's got me so that I just can't sleep
Ooh, get me out of here, please get me out of here
Just help me, I'll do anything, anything
If you'll just help me get out of here
I'm coming down, coming down like a monkey
Ooh, but it's alright
It's like a load on your back that you can't see
Ooh, don't you know that it's alright
Just try to shake it loose, cut it free
Let it go, but just get it away from me, oh
'Cause tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Maybe we'll make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Please get me out of here
Just someone get me out of here
Just help me I'll do anything, anything
If you'll just help get me out of here
Tonight, oh, I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Yes, tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Yes, I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
But it's alright
Like a load on your back that you can't see
Oh, but it's alright
Try to shake it loose, cut it free
Just let it go, just get it away from me, oh
'Cause tonight, tonight, tonight,oh
I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
I'm going down, going down like a monkey
Ooh, but it's alright
Try to pick yourself up
Carry that weight that you can't see
But don't you know it's alright
It's like a helter skelter
Going down and down, round and round
But just get it away from me, oh
Because tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
We're gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
I got some money in my pocket
About ready to burn
I don't remember where I got it
I gotta get it to you
So please answer the phone
'Cause I keep calling but you're never home
What am I gonna do
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
You keep telling me I've got everything
You say I've got everything I want
You keep telling me you're gonna help me
You're gonna help me, but you don't
But now I'm in too deep
You see it's got me so that I just can't sleep
Ooh, get me out of here, please get me out of here
Just help me, I'll do anything, anything
If you'll just help me get out of here
I'm coming down, coming down like a monkey
Ooh, but it's alright
It's like a load on your back that you can't see
Ooh, don't you know that it's alright
Just try to shake it loose, cut it free
Let it go, but just get it away from me, oh
'Cause tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Maybe we'll make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Please get me out of here
Just someone get me out of here
Just help me I'll do anything, anything
If you'll just help get me out of here
Tonight, oh, I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Yes, tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Yes, I'm gonna make it right
Tonight, tonight, tonight, oh
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight Lyrics as written by Phil Collins Michael Rutherford
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This song, just like the entire album, is about God / religion.
I got some money in my pocket, about ready to burn I don't remember where I got it, I gotta get it to you (tithing) So please answer the phone, cos I keep calling, but you're never home (prayer)
He is going to church, tithing, and praying and getting nothing out of it, so he wants to give up religion, but he is afraid to.
Before you tell me I'm wrong, read the other songs. I am covering each one. :)