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.
Well, I wished I was in Austin, mm
In the Chili Parlor Bar
Drinkin' Mad Dog Margaritas
And not carin' where you are
But here I sit in Dublin, mm
Just rollin' cigarettes
Holdin' back and chokin' back
The shakes with every breath
So forgive me all my anger
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the get go
And I'll love you 'til I die
I loved you on the Spanish Steps
The day you said goodbye
I am just a poor boy, mm
Work's my middle name
If money was the reason
Well, I would not be the same
I'll stand up and be counted, mm
I'll face up to the truth
I'll walk away from trouble
But I can't walk away from you
So forgive me all my anger
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the get go
And I'll love you 'til I die
I loved you on the Spanish Steps
The day you said goodbye
I have been to Fort Worth, mm
And I have been to Spain
And I have been too proud
To come in out of the rain
And I have seen the David, mm
I've seen the Mona Lisa, too
And I have heard Doc Watson
Play Columbus Stockade Blues
Forgive me all my anger
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the get go
And I'll love you 'til I die
I loved you on the Spanish Steps
The day you said goodbye
Well, I wished I was in Austin, mm
In the Chili Parlor Bar
Drinkin' Mad Dog Margaritas
And not carin' where you are
In the Chili Parlor Bar
Drinkin' Mad Dog Margaritas
And not carin' where you are
But here I sit in Dublin, mm
Just rollin' cigarettes
Holdin' back and chokin' back
The shakes with every breath
So forgive me all my anger
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the get go
And I'll love you 'til I die
I loved you on the Spanish Steps
The day you said goodbye
I am just a poor boy, mm
Work's my middle name
If money was the reason
Well, I would not be the same
I'll stand up and be counted, mm
I'll face up to the truth
I'll walk away from trouble
But I can't walk away from you
So forgive me all my anger
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the get go
And I'll love you 'til I die
I loved you on the Spanish Steps
The day you said goodbye
I have been to Fort Worth, mm
And I have been to Spain
And I have been too proud
To come in out of the rain
And I have seen the David, mm
I've seen the Mona Lisa, too
And I have heard Doc Watson
Play Columbus Stockade Blues
Forgive me all my anger
Forgive me all my faults
There's no need to forgive me
For thinkin' what I thought
I loved you from the get go
And I'll love you 'til I die
I loved you on the Spanish Steps
The day you said goodbye
Well, I wished I was in Austin, mm
In the Chili Parlor Bar
Drinkin' Mad Dog Margaritas
And not carin' where you are
Lyrics submitted by barfolimew, edited by ZJGotti
Dublin Blues Lyrics as written by Guy Clark
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Light Up The Sky
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Fast Car
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"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
This is such a great song...the lyrics are amazing and the bare bones guitar makes them stick out.
I would love to have a Mad Dog Margarita right now!
A reminder that not all hillbilly lost love songs are born of ignorance and simplicity. Guy Clark is brilliant.
Guy Clark is a master songwriter. This is such a wonderful poetic song.
Friends, I was surprised to see "in a chilly parlor bar" as I read the lyrics. Those outside of Austin, TX might not be aware of The Texas Chili Parlor, an old Austin restaurant that's been around at least since the early 70ies, if not before. There are no "chilly parlor bars" in this town- it is hot most of the time! And it doesn't make sense for the context of the song- Guy is wanting something of comfort as he wrestles with his memories! I am sure he would seek out the The Texas Chili Parlor! Course I don't know Guy personally, but culturally we are from the same place.
this is the song that is my childhood
The lyrics "I have been in Fort Worth, and I have been in Spain" etc. are funny but meaningful. It's like he's saying "I've been around, i'm not unsophisticated, but still a Texas good ol' boy deep down". The whole song is like a declaration of who he is to his lover. "I acknowledge my faults, and know I'm difficult, but it's all part of who I am".