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.
Well, today has been a sad ol' lonesome day
Yeah, today has been a sad ol' lonesome day
I'm just sittin' here thinking
With my mind a million miles away
Well, they're doing the double shuffle, throwin' sand on the floor
They're doing the double shuffle, they're throwin' sand on the floor
When I left my long-time darlin'
She was standing in the door
Well, my pa he died and left me, my brother got killed in the war
Well, my pa he died and left me, my brother got killed in the war
My sister, she ran off and got married
Never was heard of any more
Samantha Brown lived in my house for about four or five months
Samantha Brown lived in my house for about four or five months
Don't know how it looked to other people
I never slept with her even once
Well, the road's washed out, weather not fit for man or beast
Yeah the road's washed out, weather not fit for man or beast
Funny, how the things you have the hardest time parting with
Are the things you need the least
And I'm forty miles from the mill I'm droppin' it into overdrive
I'm forty miles from the mill I'm droppin' it into overdrive
Settin' my dial on the radio
I wish my mother was still alive
I see your lover-man comin', comin' 'cross the barren field
I see your lover-man comin', comin' 'cross the barren field
He's not a gentleman at all, he's rotten to the core
He's a coward and he steals
Well my captain he's decorated, he's well-schooled and he's skilled
My captain, he's decorated, he's well-schooled and he's skilled
He's not sentimental, don't bother him at all
How many of his pals have been killed
Last night the wind was whisperin', I was trying to make out what it was
Last night the wind was whisperin', somethin' I was trying to make out what it was
I tell myself something's comin'
But it never does
I'm gonna spare the defeated, I'm gonna speak to the crowd
I'm gonna spare the defeated, boys, I'm going to speak to the crowd
I am goin' to teach peace to the conquered
I'm gonna tame the proud
Well, the leaves are rustlin' in the wood, things are fallin' off of the shelf
Leaves are rustlin' in the wood, things are fallin' off the shelf
You gonna need my help, sweetheart
You can't make love all by yourself
Yeah, today has been a sad ol' lonesome day
I'm just sittin' here thinking
With my mind a million miles away
Well, they're doing the double shuffle, throwin' sand on the floor
They're doing the double shuffle, they're throwin' sand on the floor
When I left my long-time darlin'
She was standing in the door
Well, my pa he died and left me, my brother got killed in the war
Well, my pa he died and left me, my brother got killed in the war
My sister, she ran off and got married
Never was heard of any more
Samantha Brown lived in my house for about four or five months
Samantha Brown lived in my house for about four or five months
Don't know how it looked to other people
I never slept with her even once
Well, the road's washed out, weather not fit for man or beast
Yeah the road's washed out, weather not fit for man or beast
Funny, how the things you have the hardest time parting with
Are the things you need the least
And I'm forty miles from the mill I'm droppin' it into overdrive
I'm forty miles from the mill I'm droppin' it into overdrive
Settin' my dial on the radio
I wish my mother was still alive
I see your lover-man comin', comin' 'cross the barren field
I see your lover-man comin', comin' 'cross the barren field
He's not a gentleman at all, he's rotten to the core
He's a coward and he steals
Well my captain he's decorated, he's well-schooled and he's skilled
My captain, he's decorated, he's well-schooled and he's skilled
He's not sentimental, don't bother him at all
How many of his pals have been killed
Last night the wind was whisperin', I was trying to make out what it was
Last night the wind was whisperin', somethin' I was trying to make out what it was
I tell myself something's comin'
But it never does
I'm gonna spare the defeated, I'm gonna speak to the crowd
I'm gonna spare the defeated, boys, I'm going to speak to the crowd
I am goin' to teach peace to the conquered
I'm gonna tame the proud
Well, the leaves are rustlin' in the wood, things are fallin' off of the shelf
Leaves are rustlin' in the wood, things are fallin' off the shelf
You gonna need my help, sweetheart
You can't make love all by yourself
Lyrics submitted by SquidOmelet
Lonesome Day Blues Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
It's great the way he says Samantha Brown lived in his house for about four or five months, he doesn't know how it looked to other people but he never slept with her even once." Now at first I imagine a young narrator justifying to self-righteous prudes that just because he lives with a girl he isn't necessarily shagging her. but then I think more about how old and used-up sounding the vocals in this song are and come to another conclusion that it's about a crusty old guy and a young twenty-something girl. It's funny how the meanings of one lyric evolving can change the mental mood of a song when you hear it.
There's a Samantha Brown travel show. I always thought this song referred to Dylan watching this show, and finding it interesting enough to keep him awake. Maybe he was enjoying watching Ms Brown, she.s pretty easy on the eyes. Thanks for commenting on this song, I've always been curious about the Samantha reference.
When I listen to this song I have a really good laugh! It kind of sounds as if he's felling sorry for himself and is exaggerating his circumstances, or it could it actually be an unfortunate individual in real life? I'm thinking he is describing some messed up high ranking societal figure? Who knows? Love this song whatever it's about doesn't matter!
Bob Dylan is the Greatest!
Thumping, bluesy guitar riff / lick and the sexiest lyrics ever. I heard this song only lately, and being 24 years old, I never thought Dylan could rock harder than these new nu-metal bands. I dont think the lyrics are supposed to mean anything, but they sound sexy.
Altogether, for me, this songs mean Dylan is King.