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.
I checked into a bargain priced room on La Cienega,
gazed out through the curtains of the parking lot.
walked down to the corner store just before nightfall in my bare feet.
black tarry asphalt, soft and hot.
and when I came back I spread out my supplies.
on the counter by the sink,
I looked myself right in the eyes
st. joseph's baby aspirin,
bartles and jaymes,
and you or your memory.
I ducked behind the drapes when I saw the moon begin to rise,
gathered in my loose ends switched off the light.
and down there in the dark I can see the real truth about me.
as clear as day, lord if I make it through tonight
then I will mend my ways and walk the straight path to the end of my days.
st. joseph's baby aspirin,
bartles and jaymes,
and you or your memory.
gazed out through the curtains of the parking lot.
walked down to the corner store just before nightfall in my bare feet.
black tarry asphalt, soft and hot.
and when I came back I spread out my supplies.
on the counter by the sink,
I looked myself right in the eyes
st. joseph's baby aspirin,
bartles and jaymes,
and you or your memory.
I ducked behind the drapes when I saw the moon begin to rise,
gathered in my loose ends switched off the light.
and down there in the dark I can see the real truth about me.
as clear as day, lord if I make it through tonight
then I will mend my ways and walk the straight path to the end of my days.
st. joseph's baby aspirin,
bartles and jaymes,
and you or your memory.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
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I always took this to be somewhat about suicide. He sets out his "supplies", he's obviously intending to do something. Pills and alcohol are never a good mix, but it seems that he took a less deadly route with the baby aspirin, as opposed to regular strength aspirin. It seems to me that this song takes place much later in life than the rest of the events on the Sunset Tree album, and it sorta sets the mood for the rest of the record. The "you" is most likely his step-father, since the album does center around his relationship. This event could have taken place after his step father's death, although I doubt it, because it kinda contradicts the songs that obviously are about his step fathers's death. But there is definitely some significant break in their relationship in this song, and he's once again fled from home. It's obvious that he's in a state of despair here, he dosen't even bother to put on shoes when he goes down to the store. He's really looking inside of himself, and seeing what he's become, and it seems to me that he's putting himself through this test, with the alcohol and the pills. If he lives through it, he knows he deserves life and will begin to live it to it's fullest.