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.
Oil tankers in the National Guard
I came to meet you, my car died in your yard
Why turn the key?
There's so much here to see
These are my memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
Old hinges squeaking in the rain
That hotel by the highway where we stayed
There's something every hour
Who needs the Eiffel Tower
When we've got memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
The pen, the car
The paint, the pier
The moon and star
The message clear
Liberty raised her hand to us
As if to say, ''It's OK, live today, live today''
I said, ''Don't leave me, don't break the tie''
Then I left you and the time went rolling by
And here's what I can't stand
I know that every landmark
Triggers memories
Of stupid places and silly things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together (repeat 3x)
I came to meet you, my car died in your yard
Why turn the key?
There's so much here to see
These are my memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
Old hinges squeaking in the rain
That hotel by the highway where we stayed
There's something every hour
Who needs the Eiffel Tower
When we've got memories
Of precious places, precious things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together
The pen, the car
The paint, the pier
The moon and star
The message clear
Liberty raised her hand to us
As if to say, ''It's OK, live today, live today''
I said, ''Don't leave me, don't break the tie''
Then I left you and the time went rolling by
And here's what I can't stand
I know that every landmark
Triggers memories
Of stupid places and silly things
That were meaningless before
We'd seen them together (repeat 3x)
Lyrics submitted by mrs-mojo-risin
Meaningless Lyrics as written by Jon Brion
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
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Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I'm surprised nobody has commented on this song. Maybe it's because the lyrics are fairly straight forward. Anyway, it may be easy to figure out, but i love lyric. I really identified with it. I've had my heart broken a few times, and I felt the same way. In the weeks and months after I'd drive by a place or a sign that she had pointed at once years ago, and it would just make me so sad...and all it really is is a street sign! The last chorus he tries to convey this fact (and trick himself into believing) by changing "precious places" and "special things" to "stupid places" and "silly things". I just love that.
I almost forgot. I go to see Jon play regularly at a club in L.A. called Largo and he seems to have changed his mind about one of the lines of the song. For the past 3 or 4 years or so he always sings the line "then I left you" as "then you left me". Also, about half the time he sings the line "time went rolling be" as "time went crawling by". Isn't that great. It really could be either one. Years later it feels like time rolled by, but in the months just after the hurt time does "crawl" by. I just really like the fact that he changes that lyric from time to time. And like I said he always sings "then you left me" instead of "then I left you". I can see why he likes it better. When I first heard this song and I knew nothing about Jon Brion I remember liking it, but as listened to over and over again I didn't think the "then I left you" made sense. If he feels so horrible without her why did he leave her? I think Jon must have been thinking the same thing after he released it. Being too late, however, there was nothing he could do about and therefore sings the new lyric when he performs it live.
Wow, thanks rocconorth, that was über interesting!
I like with the changes. Good call Jon!
It's a gorgeous song. The only thing is that it makes me feel scared. I hope I never break up with my beautiful man...for I'd have to leave the country.
:P