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's winter and I'm late I lost this game
Of white Russian roulette but I'm fine I'm quite ok,
And she knows I'm royal loyal to lovers
I'll die here with you when my veins lose their hue
Cause I never fixed my broken jaw
That's why my words don't ever come out at all,
So when you come out fix another for me
One hand's itching the other's missing
I wish I was missing...
Birthmarked my arms in vain out my mouth and down the drain
Shooting bullets through my blood, the bullets barely missed my brain
And fly for five days around my bedroom in a haze
And then I'll crash straight in the ground
I wish I was never ever here...
And I don't know what's buried here
(I think) I'm buried here and barely here...
Raccoon eyed and skin whiter than heavens best fighter
I'm thinking she needs me, well do you girl? I guess we'll see
And I know she's perfect, a hostage in purple
We'll tie up our arms with my cancer and your charm
Cause I'll never kiss a broken jaw
Fist fight the light that bounces off my walls
So when you come out fix another for me
One leg's limping, the other's missing
I wish I was missing...
Dodging broken down satellites
Mending my beaten up jaw line
Last night I stayed on call all night
And I watched her die three times tonight
Of white Russian roulette but I'm fine I'm quite ok,
And she knows I'm royal loyal to lovers
I'll die here with you when my veins lose their hue
Cause I never fixed my broken jaw
That's why my words don't ever come out at all,
So when you come out fix another for me
One hand's itching the other's missing
I wish I was missing...
Birthmarked my arms in vain out my mouth and down the drain
Shooting bullets through my blood, the bullets barely missed my brain
And fly for five days around my bedroom in a haze
And then I'll crash straight in the ground
I wish I was never ever here...
And I don't know what's buried here
(I think) I'm buried here and barely here...
Raccoon eyed and skin whiter than heavens best fighter
I'm thinking she needs me, well do you girl? I guess we'll see
And I know she's perfect, a hostage in purple
We'll tie up our arms with my cancer and your charm
Cause I'll never kiss a broken jaw
Fist fight the light that bounces off my walls
So when you come out fix another for me
One leg's limping, the other's missing
I wish I was missing...
Dodging broken down satellites
Mending my beaten up jaw line
Last night I stayed on call all night
And I watched her die three times tonight
Lyrics submitted by rjbucs28
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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 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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worcpunk61, I'd never thought of this song that way, but that actually would make perfect sense... damnit, why can't I be all insightful like that? &better yet, why can't i write lyrics like this? Anyways.. yeah, this song is great. Kind of catchy. Good stuff.