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.
With a map of the end times
I can follow a straight line
To the old Mary Martin Show
Should we go?
Since we learned the guitar parts
To the music that once started it off
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
With the musical guest on
You were singing the theme song
To the old Mary Martin Show
Did you know?
With your cameras in action
With your network connections, it's go
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, the hope of every actor in their role
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
All the rain on that morning
Was so shining and boring
It was gold, Mary Martin, know
It was gold
With a book of guitar chords
From alright to good words, it sold
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, the hope of every punchline that you throw
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
The Mary Martin Show
The Mary Martin Show
The Mary Martin, they don't come any closer, closer
I can follow a straight line
To the old Mary Martin Show
Should we go?
Since we learned the guitar parts
To the music that once started it off
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
With the musical guest on
You were singing the theme song
To the old Mary Martin Show
Did you know?
With your cameras in action
With your network connections, it's go
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, the hope of every actor in their role
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
All the rain on that morning
Was so shining and boring
It was gold, Mary Martin, know
It was gold
With a book of guitar chords
From alright to good words, it sold
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, the hope of every punchline that you throw
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
To aim far too, far too low
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
Mary Martin, they don't come any closer than that now
The Mary Martin Show
The Mary Martin Show
The Mary Martin, they don't come any closer, closer
Lyrics submitted by kissmyapocalypse
The Mary Martin Show Lyrics as written by Carl Allan Newman
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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