Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
The morning sun's about to break
I'm looking in as you create someone
You lift your head and brush your teeth and make your bed
As if you won't sleep again
You fix your hair and tie your shoes
And tuck your shirt and now you feel new
The glass is full, the glass is broke
And every day dissolves and there's no hope
Of ever leaving this temporary life
Of ever leaving this temporary life
Life, life, life, life
You may ask yourself: is there anyone so alone
That there's no beep before the dial tone
When you pick it up to see who called
If there is, its probably your Mom
Oh the rising sun brings little change
To this city with a stolen name
And you're wondering who's bright idea
It was to pack your things and leave your friends and move Down here
I'm looking in as you create someone
You lift your head and brush your teeth and make your bed
As if you won't sleep again
You fix your hair and tie your shoes
And tuck your shirt and now you feel new
The glass is full, the glass is broke
And every day dissolves and there's no hope
Of ever leaving this temporary life
Of ever leaving this temporary life
Life, life, life, life
You may ask yourself: is there anyone so alone
That there's no beep before the dial tone
When you pick it up to see who called
If there is, its probably your Mom
Oh the rising sun brings little change
To this city with a stolen name
And you're wondering who's bright idea
It was to pack your things and leave your friends and move Down here
Lyrics submitted by tay-parker
This Temporary Life Lyrics as written by Benjamin Gibbard
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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He certainly did earn that reputation.
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Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
what album is this song on