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.
Standin' in the door of the Pink Flamingo cryin' in the rain
It was a kind of so-so love
And I'm gonna make sure it doesn't happen again
You and I had to be the standing joke of the year
You were a run-around, a lost and found and not for me, I feel
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
We tried to make it work
You in a cocktail skirt and me in a suit but it just wasn't me
You're used to wearing less
And now your life's a mess, so insecure you see
Well I put up with all the scenes
And this is one scene that's going to be played my way
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face, for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello, goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Under the deep red light I can see the make up slidin' down
Well hey little girl you will always make up
So take off that unbecoming frown
As for me, well I'll find someone who's not goin' cheap in the sales
A nice little housewife
Who'll give me a steady life and not keep going off the rails
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face, for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello, goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello, wave goodbye
Goodbye
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
We were born before the waves
Who are we to understand?
We were born before the waves
Say goodbye
Through the rain, hail, sleet and snow
Say goodbye
Get on the train, train, train
And say goodbye
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
In the wind and the rain now, darling
Say goodbye
In the wind and the rain now, darling
It was a kind of so-so love
And I'm gonna make sure it doesn't happen again
You and I had to be the standing joke of the year
You were a run-around, a lost and found and not for me, I feel
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
We tried to make it work
You in a cocktail skirt and me in a suit but it just wasn't me
You're used to wearing less
And now your life's a mess, so insecure you see
Well I put up with all the scenes
And this is one scene that's going to be played my way
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face, for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello, goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Under the deep red light I can see the make up slidin' down
Well hey little girl you will always make up
So take off that unbecoming frown
As for me, well I'll find someone who's not goin' cheap in the sales
A nice little housewife
Who'll give me a steady life and not keep going off the rails
Take your hands off me, hey
I don't belong to you, you see
And take a look in my face, for the last time
I never knew you, you never knew me
Say hello, goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Wave goodbye
Say hello and wave goodbye
Say hello, wave goodbye
Goodbye
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
We were born before the waves
Who are we to understand?
We were born before the waves
Say goodbye
Through the rain, hail, sleet and snow
Say goodbye
Get on the train, train, train
And say goodbye
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
Say goodbye
In the wind and the rain now, darling
Say goodbye
In the wind and the rain now, darling
Lyrics submitted by BigKaboshProductions
Say Hello, Wave Goodbye Lyrics as written by Marc Almond David Ball
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
Well just from reading the lyrics... it sounds like the persona is in love with a prostitute..
"someone who's not going cheap in the sales"
"Under the deep red lights" - a reference to the red-light district perhaps?
"We tried to make it work...You're used to wearing less" - perhaps she tried to go clean to make things work out with the persona - but ultimately failed.
Actually, the more I read it, the more it looks that way. I guess it could just be a metaphor for being in love with someone, but it just doesn't ultimately work out because you're too different from one another.
Kind of like that fatal-flaw that seems to split relationships apart.
If you think about it like that.. then the song is quite sad, as the persona ultimately gives up on his love.. and settles for the "steady life"
Just my interpretation.