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 we talked about old times
Like a couple of old guys
And took a little walk to the old baseball diamond
And along came O'Brien
With a guitar in his hand
Met us on the field with impeccable timing
He said I got a new song to show ya
Though it probably ain't gonna blow your mind
And the thing about O'Brien was
He could always make a string buzz like it was 1989
And I remember my old car and that old girlfriend of mine
It was a cracked wooden thing
He said wanna talk about old strings
It's been 10, 12 years since I last changed mine
And it says Sears down the neck
Had a little blood stain on the second fret
But you know it still keeps impeccable timing
And he said I got a brand new song to show ya
Though it probably ain't gonna blow your mind
And the thing about O'Brien was
He could always make a string buzz like it was still 1989
And I remember my first car and that old girlfriend of mine
And that's the story about O'Brien blew my mind
(guitar instrumental)
Like a couple of old guys
And took a little walk to the old baseball diamond
And along came O'Brien
With a guitar in his hand
Met us on the field with impeccable timing
He said I got a new song to show ya
Though it probably ain't gonna blow your mind
And the thing about O'Brien was
He could always make a string buzz like it was 1989
And I remember my old car and that old girlfriend of mine
It was a cracked wooden thing
He said wanna talk about old strings
It's been 10, 12 years since I last changed mine
And it says Sears down the neck
Had a little blood stain on the second fret
But you know it still keeps impeccable timing
And he said I got a brand new song to show ya
Though it probably ain't gonna blow your mind
And the thing about O'Brien was
He could always make a string buzz like it was still 1989
And I remember my first car and that old girlfriend of mine
And that's the story about O'Brien blew my mind
(guitar instrumental)
Lyrics submitted by ericaerica
O'Brien/O'Brien Nocturne Lyrics as written by Matthew Stephen Ward
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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