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.
Waiting, we were waiting
As the traffic moved through all our hearts and our heads
But things were different then
For the quiet men
Shifting, things were shifting
Through the walls and hall, there were no walls at all
For the quiet friends
Of the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Springtime, there was sunshine
Through the window panes, down all the English lanes
Where they walked again
The quiet men
Talking, they were talking
Of the times to come, and all the time that's gone
And they smiled again
The quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Listening, they were listening
As the season changed and all the reasons changed
And people came and went
By the quiet men
Walking, they were walking
Through the rainy days, looking at all the faces
But no-one ever noticed them
The quiet men
Oh
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
As the traffic moved through all our hearts and our heads
But things were different then
For the quiet men
Shifting, things were shifting
Through the walls and hall, there were no walls at all
For the quiet friends
Of the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Springtime, there was sunshine
Through the window panes, down all the English lanes
Where they walked again
The quiet men
Talking, they were talking
Of the times to come, and all the time that's gone
And they smiled again
The quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Listening, they were listening
As the season changed and all the reasons changed
And people came and went
By the quiet men
Walking, they were walking
Through the rainy days, looking at all the faces
But no-one ever noticed them
The quiet men
Oh
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Oh, the quiet men
Lyrics submitted by MrLongrove
Quiet Men Lyrics as written by Dennis Leigh Christopher Thomas Allen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I do believe John Foxx was referring to himself as a Quiet Man.
Who was first? Gary Numan of them for this sound?
@PeluCrespins <\r\nUltravox. Gary Numan has admitted several times that the John Foxx led Ultravox was a major influence on his early sound, even stating that he only trying to sound like them while recording the Replicas lp. Ultravox\'s keyboard player and violinist, Billy Currie even joined Numan\'s Tubeway Army and toured with him during the European leg of the first tour. Currie later left and worked with Visage and then reformed Ultravox, with Midge Ure on lead vocals.
Gary Numan or them, I meant, in any case, great innovation from the romantic heroes of the new wave.