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.
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
We'll miss him
We'll miss him
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
We'll miss him
We'll miss him
We are going to miss him
We are going to miss him
So long
We wish you well
You told us how you weren't afraid to die
Well, so long
Don't cry
Or feel too down
Not all martyrs see divinity
But at least you tried
Standing above the crowd
He had a voice that was strong and loud
We'll miss him, we'll miss him
Ranting and pointing his finger
At everything but his heart
We'll miss him, we'll miss him
We are going to miss him
We are going to miss him
Yeah, no way, yeah to recall
What it was that you had said to me
Like I care at all
But it was so loud
You sure could yell
You took a stand on every little thing
And it was so loud
You could be the one
Who saves me from
My own existence
Warn while some child
Might chill, nine one two
(I'm too smart when you're invisible)
(By the bone symbol on you)
(So he bashed his skull through the window)
(While looking out to the sea)
(Like torment of my ego)
(And we're amused by this)
Yeah, standing above the crowd
He had a voice that was strong and loud and I
Swallowed his facade 'cause I'm so eager to identify with
Someone above the ground
Someone who seemed to feel the same
Someone prepared to lead the way, and
Someone who would die for me
Will you? Will you now?
Would you die for me?
Don't you fuckin' lie
Don't you step out of line
Don't you step out of line
Don't you step out of line
Don't you fuckin' lie
You've claimed all this time that you would die for me
Why then are you so surprised when hear your own eulogy?
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
Come down
Get off your fuckin' cross
We need the fuckin' space
To nail the next fool martyr
To ascend you must die
You must be crucified
For our sins and our lies
Goodbye
He had a lot of nothing to say
We'll miss him
We'll miss him
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
We'll miss him
We'll miss him
We are going to miss him
We are going to miss him
So long
We wish you well
You told us how you weren't afraid to die
Well, so long
Don't cry
Or feel too down
Not all martyrs see divinity
But at least you tried
Standing above the crowd
He had a voice that was strong and loud
We'll miss him, we'll miss him
Ranting and pointing his finger
At everything but his heart
We'll miss him, we'll miss him
We are going to miss him
We are going to miss him
Yeah, no way, yeah to recall
What it was that you had said to me
Like I care at all
But it was so loud
You sure could yell
You took a stand on every little thing
And it was so loud
You could be the one
Who saves me from
My own existence
Warn while some child
Might chill, nine one two
(I'm too smart when you're invisible)
(By the bone symbol on you)
(So he bashed his skull through the window)
(While looking out to the sea)
(Like torment of my ego)
(And we're amused by this)
Yeah, standing above the crowd
He had a voice that was strong and loud and I
Swallowed his facade 'cause I'm so eager to identify with
Someone above the ground
Someone who seemed to feel the same
Someone prepared to lead the way, and
Someone who would die for me
Will you? Will you now?
Would you die for me?
Don't you fuckin' lie
Don't you step out of line
Don't you step out of line
Don't you step out of line
Don't you fuckin' lie
You've claimed all this time that you would die for me
Why then are you so surprised when hear your own eulogy?
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
Come down
Get off your fuckin' cross
We need the fuckin' space
To nail the next fool martyr
To ascend you must die
You must be crucified
For our sins and our lies
Goodbye
Lyrics submitted by implode, edited by jhoff, TwistyDorito
Eulogy Lyrics as written by Daniel Carey Adam Jones
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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.”
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This song is about people who claim that they will die for you, but when the time comes they piss out.