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 the perfect time of day
It's the last day of your life
Don't let it drift away
While your heart is still racing
It's the perfect time of day
And you won't feel a thing
And you won't recall
Anything at all
Close your eyes
And take your last breath
Rest your head beside
The end is the beginning
And every point between
Some are lost...
Some are lost...
And you won't feel a thing
And you won't recall
Anything at all
Let your colors collide
Oh the time is so fleeting
I quit running behind
Oh I know your meaning
You looked too far
For what you want to say
And you looked for
The perfect time of day
And you won't feel a thing
And you won't recall
Anything at all
It's the perfect time of day
Come on now...Come on
It's the perfect time with you
Come on now...Come on
It's the last day of your life
Don't let it drift away
While your heart is still racing
It's the perfect time of day
And you won't feel a thing
And you won't recall
Anything at all
Close your eyes
And take your last breath
Rest your head beside
The end is the beginning
And every point between
Some are lost...
Some are lost...
And you won't feel a thing
And you won't recall
Anything at all
Let your colors collide
Oh the time is so fleeting
I quit running behind
Oh I know your meaning
You looked too far
For what you want to say
And you looked for
The perfect time of day
And you won't feel a thing
And you won't recall
Anything at all
It's the perfect time of day
Come on now...Come on
It's the perfect time with you
Come on now...Come on
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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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Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I found in an interview what Howie had to say about this song...it's just about that perfect time of day, to seize an opportunity. Just when you find that perfect moment to make your move, you better take the chance, because you'll never get it back.