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.
Come on Eileen, come on Eileen
Poor old Johnny Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
He moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers used to sing along
Who'd blame them?
You're grown
(You're grown up)
So grown
(So grown up)
Now I must say more than ever
Come on Eileen
Toora, loora, toora, loorye, aye
And we can sing just like our fathers
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress
Oh, my thoughts, I confessed
Verge on the dirty
Ah, come on Eileen
Come on Eileen
These people round here
Wear beaten down eyes
Sun in smoke dried faces
Resigned to what their fate is
But not us
(No, never)
No, not us
(No, never)
We are far too young and clever
Remember
Toora, loora, toora, loorye, aye
Eileen, I'll let this tune forever
Toora, loora, toora, loorye, aye
Eileen, I'll let this tune forever
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
Ah, come on let's take off everything
That pretty red dress
Oh, Eileen tell him yes
Oh, come on let's, ah, come on Eileen
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
At this moment you mean everything
Come on Eileen, tooloorye, aye
Come on Eileen, tooloorye, aye
Toora, toora tooloorye, oh, Eileen
I said, come on Eileen oh, come on Eileen
We are far too young and clever
And things won't ever change
And I say, toora, loora, toora loorye, aye
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
At this moment, you mean everything to me
Oh, to me, oh, Eileen
You mean everything
Poor old Johnny Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
He moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers used to sing along
Who'd blame them?
You're grown
(You're grown up)
So grown
(So grown up)
Now I must say more than ever
Come on Eileen
Toora, loora, toora, loorye, aye
And we can sing just like our fathers
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
At this moment, you mean everything
You in that dress
Oh, my thoughts, I confessed
Verge on the dirty
Ah, come on Eileen
Come on Eileen
These people round here
Wear beaten down eyes
Sun in smoke dried faces
Resigned to what their fate is
But not us
(No, never)
No, not us
(No, never)
We are far too young and clever
Remember
Toora, loora, toora, loorye, aye
Eileen, I'll let this tune forever
Toora, loora, toora, loorye, aye
Eileen, I'll let this tune forever
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
Ah, come on let's take off everything
That pretty red dress
Oh, Eileen tell him yes
Oh, come on let's, ah, come on Eileen
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
At this moment you mean everything
Come on Eileen, tooloorye, aye
Come on Eileen, tooloorye, aye
Toora, toora tooloorye, oh, Eileen
I said, come on Eileen oh, come on Eileen
We are far too young and clever
And things won't ever change
And I say, toora, loora, toora loorye, aye
Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear, well, he means
At this moment, you mean everything to me
Oh, to me, oh, Eileen
You mean everything
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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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oh and one more thing....Jimmy Fallon's version rocks too!