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.
It was the first snow of the season
I can almost see you breathing in the middle of that empty street
Sometimes I still see myself in that lonesome bedroom
Playing my guitar and singing songs of hope for a better future
Life is only as good as the memories we make
And I'm taking back what belongs to me
Polaroids of classrooms unattended
These relics of remembrance are just like shipwrecks
Only they're gone faster than the smell after it rains
Last night while everyone was sleeping
I drove through my old neighborhood
And resurrected memories from ashes.
We said that we would never fit in
When we were really just like them
Does rebellion ever make a difference?
So long, Astoria, I found a map of buried treasure
And even if we come home empty handed we'll still have our stories
Of battlescars, pirate ships, and wounded hearts
Broken bones and all the best of friendships
And when this hourglass
Has filtered out its final grain of sand
I'll raise my glass to the memories we had
This is my wish and I'm taking it back
I'm taking 'em all back
I can almost see you breathing in the middle of that empty street
Sometimes I still see myself in that lonesome bedroom
Playing my guitar and singing songs of hope for a better future
Life is only as good as the memories we make
And I'm taking back what belongs to me
Polaroids of classrooms unattended
These relics of remembrance are just like shipwrecks
Only they're gone faster than the smell after it rains
Last night while everyone was sleeping
I drove through my old neighborhood
And resurrected memories from ashes.
We said that we would never fit in
When we were really just like them
Does rebellion ever make a difference?
So long, Astoria, I found a map of buried treasure
And even if we come home empty handed we'll still have our stories
Of battlescars, pirate ships, and wounded hearts
Broken bones and all the best of friendships
And when this hourglass
Has filtered out its final grain of sand
I'll raise my glass to the memories we had
This is my wish and I'm taking it back
I'm taking 'em all back
Lyrics submitted by ADimeADexter
So Long, Astoria Lyrics as written by Kristopher Lee Roe
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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i fucking hate the goonies. that's right, sorry but i don't have a soul.