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.
Where did you go
When things went wrong for you
When the knives came out for you?
Where did you go?
All you needed was a friend
You just have to ask and then
You don't have to have the solution
You've got to understand the problem
And don't go hoping for a miracle
All this will fade away
So I'm coming home
What did you learn
Locked away all on your own
Chance and your head all blown
What did you learn
It was unfortunate
You missed you chance to find out that
You don't have to have the solution
You've got to understand the problem
And don't go hoping for a miracle
All this will fade away
So I'm coming home
When things went wrong for you
When the knives came out for you?
Where did you go?
All you needed was a friend
You just have to ask and then
You don't have to have the solution
You've got to understand the problem
And don't go hoping for a miracle
All this will fade away
So I'm coming home
What did you learn
Locked away all on your own
Chance and your head all blown
What did you learn
It was unfortunate
You missed you chance to find out that
You don't have to have the solution
You've got to understand the problem
And don't go hoping for a miracle
All this will fade away
So I'm coming home
Lyrics submitted by butterflykiss84, edited by steve11633
Slight Return Lyrics as written by Edward Daniel Chester Adam Patrick Devlin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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I can't belive that this song wasn't allready on here until I put the lyrics on. This is their most well known song and also the song which reached the highest position in the charts!
It is one of my favourite sonsg ever and I have loved it since the day I heard it in '96. I could listen to it every day and not get bored - its just fantastic! :]
A perfect little pop gem, not remembered by many, but cherished by a lucky few. No answer on the meaning to the lyrics on this page, as I hoped to get. Some autobiographical content maybe? The lyrics are quite sparse and take second stage to the music and melody of this song, which is excellent, tight, bright and perfectly executed. Love the 2 little solos at the end, one with acoustic-electric and the other one with a more electric sound. Funny to be posting here and talking about more about the music and melody than about the song lyrics.
It's called Brit pop, butterflykiss84. No-one knows it on this site but me and you. It's such a shame, all the greatest songs go unnoticed, whereas stupid bands like Simple Plan and Weezer steal the limelight.
I first heard this song in 96, but I was only 5 so I forgot the name of the band until a couple of months ago. Now I DO listen to this song every day! Aren't the Bluetones meant to be on tour at the moment?
I wouldn't be so sure about that. I'm a huge fan of Brit Pop and I really like The Bluetones.
Yeah, this is a really good song. I hadn't even heard it until I listened to "Return to the Last Chance Saloon," which is a really good album.
Strange, considering this wasn't on 'Return to the Last Chance Saloon' but 'Expecting to Fly' instead.
Bluetones most well known song and one of the best, like the video where he is running through the streets.
no one knows about brit-pop? are you crazy. i think the title gives it away brit-POP...POPULAR!! duh!! anyway, i like this song, is it me or does his voice sound like ian brown to you?
Doesn't sound much like Ian Brown to me... class song
Nice, sparkly uplifting song and I agree with some of the comments above, Never seen why it's called 'Slight Return' Any guesses? [I don't think the "I'm coming home" reference is strong enough. for the title]
I think this song is about a friend who just passed away due to suicide(my guess over the line "Chance and your head all blown"). I guess the title "Slight Return" may mean that just take a slight return on your thought, things will be very different.<br /> <br /> btw, I like the lyrics very much. It looks like telling me that when you're having a trouble, you just need to find your buddies and share your annoyance with them.
I think what a lot of you are missing (due to incomplete lyrics on this page no doubt), is that at the very end of the song he says 'just for a short while' after the last 'i'm coming home'. Hence 'slight return'.
Surprise surprise...this has got the most comments out of all The Bluetones songs. They have made many better songs than this but you people don't listen to them as they aren't "Britpop" anymore.
Dig a bit deeper sheep and don't be so kazy
Mark can sing therefore he doesn't sound like Ian Brown.
Slight Return isn't on "Return To The Last Chance Saloon" but you are right about it being a great album.