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.
How can I look through
Their senseless side?
As much as I'd like to
All is not right - and it shows
All around you
Under the tree - a seed
Come in closer
There is a sign
Shaped in the mind
Pick up - for God's sake
When we call you back to the lake
How can I tell you
All that is wrong
Nothing invites you
Can't get along - with you now
And I try to
There is a page
It's still unwritten
Why can't you find
Time in your schedule
To pick up...
Oh, pick up for God's sake
When we call you back to the lake
Make no mistake
We will call you back to the lake
Their senseless side?
As much as I'd like to
All is not right - and it shows
All around you
Under the tree - a seed
Come in closer
There is a sign
Shaped in the mind
Pick up - for God's sake
When we call you back to the lake
How can I tell you
All that is wrong
Nothing invites you
Can't get along - with you now
And I try to
There is a page
It's still unwritten
Why can't you find
Time in your schedule
To pick up...
Oh, pick up for God's sake
When we call you back to the lake
Make no mistake
We will call you back to the lake
Lyrics submitted by CrookedRain
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okay - this is certainly not the meaning that bob had in mind when he wrote the song - but this is what i always think of when i hear this song:
once i read a book about borneo (into the heart of borneo?) and the author was giving a light hearted account of the native people's beliefs about the afterlife. i can't recall; and can't find the book right now - but it involved people, after death, being deposited in various lakes.
also, the bible tells about the "lake of fire" (ie. hell) which of course was the subject of a famous meat puppets song (covered by nirvana on thier excellent unplugged album). so naturally when i hear back to the lake i think about the various afterlife myths, or . . . uh . . . theories.
back to the lake = death
but then again one time i was running a marathon (in the redwoods) and i had my play list on my ipod set up so i'd hear this song right at the end of the marathon . . . meaning i was finished. (we live right near a lake - so it meant coming home.)
anyway - like i said - these ramblings have nothing to do w bob's original intentions (which are rarely very clear so i might as well add my own personal view, right?)
No.
amazing piece of music. probably about about some sort of relationship that has gone astray for one reason or another, makes no sense, but they're looking to draw them back to where they were before because they feel as though they still have unfinished business.
How can I tell you All that is wrong Nothing invites you Can't get along - with you now And I try to There is a page It's still unwritten Why can't you find Time in your schedule To pick up...
i don't really know what the lyrics mean. The music is really fantastic. Why wasn't this a hit?
Because Satan rules the city of man.
Now, just because Bob's lyrics are overly cryptic or esoteric, doesn't mean their just nonsense. The guys written thousands of songs, he's got a muse. The twisted, perverted narratives give the band their quirk. The clues are here for a kind of sequel to A Salty Salute. Perhaps this is the same "lake."
"The bus will get you there yet To carry us to the lake The club is open."
Here it seems like a more personal call, to one individual who has fallen out with Bob and his drinking buddies. It could be a girl or just a friend that Bob pissed off in his drunkenness.
You are correct sir.
Isn't it just about going out in the evenings?
Isn't it just about going out in the evenings?
Isn't it just about going out in the evenings?
okay - i was just watching the extraordainarily well edited dvd GUIDED BY VOICES - THE ELECTRIFYING CONCLUSION and right before bob started this song: "back to the lake with you kids . . . what lake? the great lake!"
so what does that mean? back to ohio, i guess (lake erie).
The song is about King Arthur's sword Excalibur .
The legend says the Lady of the Lake will emerge with the sword when Brittan again is in dire need of a true king.
That is why the lyric says there is a page still unwritten....
This song has the same meaning most of Bob's other songs have, namely, none at all, for the most part.