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.
Yes where all the buildings work and buildings stand around and where the
framework sits still bolted slightly holding to the ground and when I'm in and
out of work oh baby I'm in and out of town in and out of jobs so much my feet
don't touch the ground.
3 pictures of color between you and the sun in the longest distance a rider
approach he sat and he spoke of the night clubs and homes and of shock and
surprise that they left you through the gate.
Can't be the city cause the city never gets caught sleeping be the city cause
the city never stays can't be the city cause the city never gets caught sleeping
let the water cool your water bitch you break take the burning tongue and
eardrums down to the lake
I don't want to be a light you wear around your wrist.
framework sits still bolted slightly holding to the ground and when I'm in and
out of work oh baby I'm in and out of town in and out of jobs so much my feet
don't touch the ground.
3 pictures of color between you and the sun in the longest distance a rider
approach he sat and he spoke of the night clubs and homes and of shock and
surprise that they left you through the gate.
Can't be the city cause the city never gets caught sleeping be the city cause
the city never stays can't be the city cause the city never gets caught sleeping
let the water cool your water bitch you break take the burning tongue and
eardrums down to the lake
I don't want to be a light you wear around your wrist.
Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84
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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.
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3 pictures of color... Blue sky, white clouds, brown earth? They could all be dead... "my feet don't touch the ground" They all played their part in the system... the narrator and the person he is speaking to were working class, the rider was the rich guy. "he sat and he spoke of... shock and surprise that they let you through the gate." Rich people say fuck yeah to exploiting those beneath them to get to the top(heaven)?
I can't figure out the rest, maybe i'm talking out of my ass but it made a little sense... "I don't want to be a light you wear around your wrist:" I don't want to be another notch in your belt on your way to the top.