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.
Shadows are fallin' and I'm runnin' out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while
When you get up in the mornin' and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for a while
There's a train leavin' nightly called "When All is Said and Done"
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Sometimes when you're doin' simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while
Hold me in your thoughts
Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you
Engine driver's headed north up to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for a while
These wheels keep turnin' but they're runnin' out of steam
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while
When you get up in the mornin' and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for a while
There's a train leavin' nightly called "When All is Said and Done"
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Sometimes when you're doin' simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while
Hold me in your thoughts
Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you
Engine driver's headed north up to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for a while
These wheels keep turnin' but they're runnin' out of steam
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
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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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The song is uncharacteristic of WZ i think. i think he knew it was not one of his best songs, per se, but he had to be conscious of the power it would have over his friends and fans. it was like a final gift, a momentary tearing down of his wall of sarcasm, intellect, politics, and rock and roll savvy moments before he died. he lamented his choice to write a pity song, but he did not regret including it on the album, as his friends were many and powerful, his fans were super important, and he had a loving family.
i believe the inclusion of "for a while" rather than just saying "keep me in your heart forever" is very characteristic of him. he was so conscious of his mortality, and the fickleness of memory. he was also conscious of the fact that it was only his doing that brought his death around. it always reminded me of the reluctant laugh in the middle of a good cry a woman would have. its a last favor he asks before a death everyone but himself would consider tragic, and i think we'd be remiss in ignoring his last request.
@scumbagstyle I am so surprised that nobody has gotten into your shit for saying that "it was only his own doing that brought his death around" -- mesothelioma, the cancer that took him from us all, is caused by exposure to asbestos, and not by the excesses typical of his life, Who knows where he may have been exposed to asbestos - in a house he lived in at some point during his life, in a school he went to, in a seedy LA hotel; the list could go on and on. But his death was not caused by anything intentional in his life; it was simply the sad, sad end to an amazing songwriter/poet and performer.