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.
Grandpa said to cousin Jed
Sittin' on the porch,
"I won't retire
But I might retread."
"Seem like that guy singin' this song
Been doing it for a long time.
Is there anything he knows
That he ain't said?"
Sing a song for Freedom.
Sing a song for Love.
Sing a song for depressed angels
Falling from above.
Grandpa held the paper
Pretending he could see.
But he couldn't read
Without his glasses on.
"How can all those people
Afford so many things?
When I was young people wore
What they had on."
Mamma said, "A little love and affection
In everything you do
Will make the world a better place
With or without you."
A little love and affection
In everything you do
A better place
With or without you.
Slamming down a late night shot,
The Hero and the artist compared
Goals and visions and afterthoughts
For the twenty first century.
But mostly came up with nothing,
So the truth was never learned.
And the human race just
Kept rollin' on.
Rollin' through the fighting,
Rollin' through the religious wars,
Rollin' down the temple walls
And the churches' exposed sores.
Rollin' through the fighting.
Through religious wars.
Mostly came up with nothin'...
"Grandpa here's your glasses,
You'll see much better now,"
Said that young girl
Of Edith and Earl's.
But Grandpa just kept starin'
He was lost in some distant thought
Then he turned and he said
To that young girl...
"A little love and affection
In everything you do,
Will make the world a better place
With or without you."
With or without you.
A better place...
With or without you.
With or without you.
Hear that rooster crowin'
Down on the Double E.
It's a new morning
Dawning on the green.
Bouncing off the towers,
The sun's heading down to the streets.
The business meeting
Window shades are drawn.
Another morning edition
Is headed for the porch,
Because Grandma puts down the paper
Before Grandpa raises his fork.
A little love and affection
In every thing you do,
With or without you...
Hear the rooster crowing
Down on the Double E...
Sittin' on the porch,
"I won't retire
But I might retread."
"Seem like that guy singin' this song
Been doing it for a long time.
Is there anything he knows
That he ain't said?"
Sing a song for Freedom.
Sing a song for Love.
Sing a song for depressed angels
Falling from above.
Grandpa held the paper
Pretending he could see.
But he couldn't read
Without his glasses on.
"How can all those people
Afford so many things?
When I was young people wore
What they had on."
Mamma said, "A little love and affection
In everything you do
Will make the world a better place
With or without you."
A little love and affection
In everything you do
A better place
With or without you.
Slamming down a late night shot,
The Hero and the artist compared
Goals and visions and afterthoughts
For the twenty first century.
But mostly came up with nothing,
So the truth was never learned.
And the human race just
Kept rollin' on.
Rollin' through the fighting,
Rollin' through the religious wars,
Rollin' down the temple walls
And the churches' exposed sores.
Rollin' through the fighting.
Through religious wars.
Mostly came up with nothin'...
"Grandpa here's your glasses,
You'll see much better now,"
Said that young girl
Of Edith and Earl's.
But Grandpa just kept starin'
He was lost in some distant thought
Then he turned and he said
To that young girl...
"A little love and affection
In everything you do,
Will make the world a better place
With or without you."
With or without you.
A better place...
With or without you.
With or without you.
Hear that rooster crowin'
Down on the Double E.
It's a new morning
Dawning on the green.
Bouncing off the towers,
The sun's heading down to the streets.
The business meeting
Window shades are drawn.
Another morning edition
Is headed for the porch,
Because Grandma puts down the paper
Before Grandpa raises his fork.
A little love and affection
In every thing you do,
With or without you...
Hear the rooster crowing
Down on the Double E...
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I am almost dissapointed that nobody else has commented on this song. It's absolutely amazing. Neil Young is my idol.