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.
What's wrong? What are you afraid of?
The Love Below?
She stays alone, never sheds a single tear
She stays in the coolest moods, clearly woman of the year
She and all her girlfriends, they go out dressed to win
She comes back to the cooler side of town
But she lives in my lap
She lives in my lap
Forever my fiancé
She lives in my lap
Don't leave, don't stay
She lives in my lap
I'll get the courage one day
Make me want you, make me miss you
Make me wonder where you are, then forget you
Girl remind me, just who we are
We're oh so close, but yet so far
Baby why are you acting like this?
I don't care about any of them
I care about you
Baby, I love you
You've got me open wide (I love you)
Just come inside (baby)
It's yours (it's yours)
I'm yours (I'm yours)
For sure (for sure)
Play, baby, play
She lives in my lap
Forever my fiancé
She lives in my lap
Don't leave, don't stay
She lives in my lap
I'll get the courage one day
(I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times)
(I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times) The Love Below
(I had a woman down)
(She lives in my lap)(on my lap at all times)
(Now I'm realizing that I love her)
(On my lap at all times)
You've got me open wide (now I'm realizing that I love her)
She lives in my lap (on my lap at all times)
It's yours, I'm yours (I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times) Play, baby, play
(I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times)
(Now I'm realizing that I love her)
(On my lap at all times)
(Now I'm realizing that I love her)
(She lives in my lap) (on my lap at all times)
Baby, I love you (don't leave, don't stay)
Forever my fiancé
She lives in my lap
Play, baby, play
The Love Below?
She stays alone, never sheds a single tear
She stays in the coolest moods, clearly woman of the year
She and all her girlfriends, they go out dressed to win
She comes back to the cooler side of town
But she lives in my lap
She lives in my lap
Forever my fiancé
She lives in my lap
Don't leave, don't stay
She lives in my lap
I'll get the courage one day
Make me want you, make me miss you
Make me wonder where you are, then forget you
Girl remind me, just who we are
We're oh so close, but yet so far
Baby why are you acting like this?
I don't care about any of them
I care about you
Baby, I love you
You've got me open wide (I love you)
Just come inside (baby)
It's yours (it's yours)
I'm yours (I'm yours)
For sure (for sure)
Play, baby, play
She lives in my lap
Forever my fiancé
She lives in my lap
Don't leave, don't stay
She lives in my lap
I'll get the courage one day
(I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times)
(I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times) The Love Below
(I had a woman down)
(She lives in my lap)(on my lap at all times)
(Now I'm realizing that I love her)
(On my lap at all times)
You've got me open wide (now I'm realizing that I love her)
She lives in my lap (on my lap at all times)
It's yours, I'm yours (I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times) Play, baby, play
(I had a woman down)
(On my lap at all times)
(Now I'm realizing that I love her)
(On my lap at all times)
(Now I'm realizing that I love her)
(She lives in my lap) (on my lap at all times)
Baby, I love you (don't leave, don't stay)
Forever my fiancé
She lives in my lap
Play, baby, play
Lyrics submitted by hottscubbard
She Lives in My Lap Lyrics as written by Andre Benjamin Roger Troutman
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
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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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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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.
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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,
The scratches in the song are from the Geto Boys, My minds playing tricks on me. He saying "I HAD A WOMAN DOWN FOR ME..." This is one of my favorites! This is a song about complicated love... Hes having a arguement w/ his own self about staying or not but in the end shes forever his. Also Im taking that its about a departed loved one (listen to the scratches, then Rosario Dawson (the female voice) comes in to haunt him, but brings a memory of the good times (at the begining where shes laughing). Ive always loved this song, but after my boyfriend pasted, this song has a deeper meaning. This is Andre 3000 at his best