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.
"up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, start"
today was a good day.
I didn't even have to use my a.k.
at least I didn't get my heart broken anyway
wasting time in east new jersey.
guess I could tell you 'bout
the snow covered rooftops,
sunsets, shooting stars and picturesque backdrops.
or how I went and hung out at quick-stop
and pretended that I was in clerks.
sometimes you gotta stop and remember
that your not gonna live forever.
be young, think smart, stay true
and just follow your heart.
remember the times we watched "karate kid"
and memorized every line
skipped school and went to the arcade
hung out and played galaga all day.
stole a car and we drove to michigan.
600 miles with no destination.
except to get in the car and drive
and see where we'll end up.
sometimes you gotta stop and remember.
that your not gonna be young forever.
think smart, have fun, stay true
and don't ever grow up.
out of all I've learned in life
you always keep your friends close to your heart.
'cause who will help you if you're falling down.
and everything is o.k.
today was a good day.
I didn't even have to use my a.k.
at least I didn't get my heart broken anyway
wasting time in east new jersey.
guess I could tell you 'bout
the snow covered rooftops,
sunsets, shooting stars and picturesque backdrops.
or how I went and hung out at quick-stop
and pretended that I was in clerks.
sometimes you gotta stop and remember
that your not gonna live forever.
be young, think smart, stay true
and just follow your heart.
remember the times we watched "karate kid"
and memorized every line
skipped school and went to the arcade
hung out and played galaga all day.
stole a car and we drove to michigan.
600 miles with no destination.
except to get in the car and drive
and see where we'll end up.
sometimes you gotta stop and remember.
that your not gonna be young forever.
think smart, have fun, stay true
and don't ever grow up.
out of all I've learned in life
you always keep your friends close to your heart.
'cause who will help you if you're falling down.
and everything is o.k.
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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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maybe i'm just oblivious...maybe i really don't want to know....but what is meant by "didn't even have to use my a.k."?
Reference to "today was a good day" by Ice cube.
an a.k. is a gun, so he is saying that he had a good day, he didn't have to kill anyone.
this was the infinite lives code for the original contra on the NES. I'm sure that's posted everywhere, but i haven't really scoured the boards searching. Contra was the first videogame i ever cheated in. I'll cry for the memories.
Amen to the video game memories, but the first two lines were from Ice Cube's "Today was a Good Day", hehe. Gotta love the crossing of genres. I only recently discovered the ataris, but man, I can connect with their sentiment, growing up sneaks up on a lot of us, making us wish we could go back to the way we were.
AHHH A CLERKS REFERENCE! Clerks is a Kevin Smith flim in which the main character Dante is a clerk at the quickstop. I want to have road trip to go to Redbank New Jersey and see the quick stop.
I highky recommend going to Jersey just for the sake of visiting the quick stop:) Its awesdome to just relive all your favorite Clerks Movie Moments
It's an awesome song and not only for the references o Clerks, Karate Kid, and most imporantly Galaga...Go Ataris
The songs is mearly about havin a good day. Did ya find me Druga???
this song rocks! totally describes the life of a teenager! ataris rock at doing that
OMG CLERKS!!!! ::creams pants::