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.
Sailin' on the sea
it's teal
your meal was alright
but not the captain's voice
it made me shake and squirm
Not in what you hear
but feel
surrealy thrust between
what accents mean
and what you think they should
And I'm not talkin' bout just bein' a mile up in the air
And I'm not talkin' down to people who are livin' there
But Stateside at the quay
you fear
the nearness of that auld familiar distance
between everything and you
The distance keeps us safe
from waves
of subcutaneous problems that our government
and our accents
and our parents
have us swimmin' in
all that sin
has soaked us through and through and through and through
And I'm not talkin' to the people who've been in jail
And I'm not talkin' 'bout just wanting to belong somewhere
And let's not talk about the colour of your eyes or your hair.
I'm talkin' 'bout talkin' 'bout the colour of the sea from way up there
it's teal
your meal was alright
but not the captain's voice
it made me shake and squirm
Not in what you hear
but feel
surrealy thrust between
what accents mean
and what you think they should
And I'm not talkin' bout just bein' a mile up in the air
And I'm not talkin' down to people who are livin' there
But Stateside at the quay
you fear
the nearness of that auld familiar distance
between everything and you
The distance keeps us safe
from waves
of subcutaneous problems that our government
and our accents
and our parents
have us swimmin' in
all that sin
has soaked us through and through and through and through
And I'm not talkin' to the people who've been in jail
And I'm not talkin' 'bout just wanting to belong somewhere
And let's not talk about the colour of your eyes or your hair.
I'm talkin' 'bout talkin' 'bout the colour of the sea from way up there
Lyrics submitted by ma0sm
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