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.
There's a guy I'd like to thank
He signs the checks and leaves them blank
He's the one
He says you don't have to walk a plank
The game is rigged, go fig your
Slide show tanked, and your flagship sank
So we're taking all our myths to the bank
So just don't, don't forget to thank
We're taking our myths to the
Drinking a fifth to the
We're taking all our myths to the bank, oh no
If you could just do him this favor
Although it might involve child labor
Join his entourage, give him a foot massage
From Star Search to the Philharmonic
He'll get you there with Hooked on Phonics
He's the one to know, doesn't matter if you blow
No, no, no, no, fact it's just the thing
He thinks we're needing
It's a lukewarm liquid diet they're force feeding
When the words we use have lost their bite
Now they hit you like an imaginary pillow fight
Oh, but it's all right, yea, cause you're inside,
And you're in tight
Deals in commodities of the abstract sort
Buys them in bulk but then he sells it short
Talent, genius, love, even signs of affection
He floods the market, there's no price protection
And when his master plan is unfurled
There stands a handsome bid
On the weather systems, of the world
He signs the checks and leaves them blank
He's the one
He says you don't have to walk a plank
The game is rigged, go fig your
Slide show tanked, and your flagship sank
So we're taking all our myths to the bank
So just don't, don't forget to thank
We're taking our myths to the
Drinking a fifth to the
We're taking all our myths to the bank, oh no
If you could just do him this favor
Although it might involve child labor
Join his entourage, give him a foot massage
From Star Search to the Philharmonic
He'll get you there with Hooked on Phonics
He's the one to know, doesn't matter if you blow
No, no, no, no, fact it's just the thing
He thinks we're needing
It's a lukewarm liquid diet they're force feeding
When the words we use have lost their bite
Now they hit you like an imaginary pillow fight
Oh, but it's all right, yea, cause you're inside,
And you're in tight
Deals in commodities of the abstract sort
Buys them in bulk but then he sells it short
Talent, genius, love, even signs of affection
He floods the market, there's no price protection
And when his master plan is unfurled
There stands a handsome bid
On the weather systems, of the world
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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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
weather systems.... the album he made and released while working on The Mysterious Production of Eggs.
This song seems to mention in passing the demise of "Andrew Birds Bowl of Fire":
he says you don't have to walk a plank the game is rigged, go fig your slide show tanked, and your flagship sank