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.
When I'm on will you leave me on?
When I'm on will you leave me on?
And when I'm down will you let me get under?
Take cover, can't hide without a house
Newspapers blow over
Can't walk past the driveway without asking for direction
So full of stupid questions
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I'm gonna take my time night by night
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I hang my hands over your eyes to hide
When I'm on will you rescue me?
I watch that telethon
Got hung up on the word, I can't get it over
Soldier
When she says nothing is enough
She doesn't mean, don't try to fix it
Make plans with your other hand
Dream without concession
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I'm gonna take my time night by night
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I hang my hands over your eyes
I hang my hands over your eyes to hide
Bruised Billy Joel, "New York State Of Mind"
Bruised Billy Joel, "New York State Of Mind"
Bruised Billy Joel, "New York State Of Mind"
Take cover, take pleasure
When I'm on will you leave me on?
And when I'm down will you let me get under?
Take cover, can't hide without a house
Newspapers blow over
Can't walk past the driveway without asking for direction
So full of stupid questions
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I'm gonna take my time night by night
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I hang my hands over your eyes to hide
When I'm on will you rescue me?
I watch that telethon
Got hung up on the word, I can't get it over
Soldier
When she says nothing is enough
She doesn't mean, don't try to fix it
Make plans with your other hand
Dream without concession
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I'm gonna take my time night by night
When the daylight's like fluorescent light
I hang my hands over your eyes
I hang my hands over your eyes to hide
Bruised Billy Joel, "New York State Of Mind"
Bruised Billy Joel, "New York State Of Mind"
Bruised Billy Joel, "New York State Of Mind"
Take cover, take pleasure
Lyrics submitted by oh_doctor_doctor
Telethon Lyrics as written by Emily Haines
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i think its about getting clean.
i think the line is "when she says nothing is enough, she doesn't mean don't try to fix it."
this song would be a good Metric song on the next album. i can here the potential whenever i listen to it.
it's seems to be another song about the hypocrisy of life and i really don't know. she seems to be dependant on someone as she judges the world. pretty hypocritical, there. but such a pretty song, as always.
CORRECT LYRICS:
When I'm on will you leave me on? When I'm on will you leave me on? And when I'm down will you let me get under?
Take cover. Can't hide without a house. News papers blow over. Can't walk passed the driveway without asking for direction. So full of stupid questions.
When the daylight's like florecent light, I'm gunna take my time. Night by night. When the daylight's like florecent light, I hang my hands over your eyes to hide.
When I'm on will you rescue me? I watch that telethon. Got hung up on the word I can't get it over, soldier. When she said nothing is enough. She doesn't mean don't try to fix. Make plans with your other hand. Dream without consession.
When the daylight's like florecent light, I'm gunna take my time. Night by night. When the daylight's like florecent light, I hang my hands over your eyes. I hang my hands over your eyes to hide.
Bruised Billy Joel New York state of mind. Bruised Billy Joel New York state of mind. Bruised Billy Joel New York state of mind. Take cover. Take pleasure.
this song is beautiful.
Does anyone know what she means when she says "Dream without concession" ?
In the lyrics, when you wrote: "and when I'm down will you let me get older?", Emily Haines actually says: "and when I'm down will you let me get under?"
Also, in the part where she sings: "I hang my hands over your eyes tonight", its actually: "I hang my hands over your eyes to hide."
Listen carefully.
These lyrics are so wrong....
to me, this song is about.. a lover letting her down..having to leave and her trying to shield herself from the truth.