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.
An old man lying by the road
Black as night
He's got his finger on the trigger
An easy target in sight
He's got no future, no family tree
He's got a three dollar bottle
And he drinks 'til he can't see
All night, all night
A young girl waiting on a line
Eight a.m., she's got a six month old burden
Willpower's withering thin
An unwed mother beaten by her trade
Each week her welfare reminds her
Of mistakes she never made
Oh no
Now what has that to say about tomorrow
What has that to show for today
Noah thought to build an ark
Before the heavens washed it all away
Away
A baby crying through a dream
An afterthought
Mother is seething for pleasure
After the poison is bought
His eyes are tainted, staggered is his breath
Oh God, he's addicted
Addicted to death
Oh, no
Now what has that to say about tomorrow
What has that to show for today, yeah, yeah, yeah
Noah thought to build an ark
Before the heavens washed it all away
Away, yeah
Oh, now
Now what has that to say about tomorrow
What is that to show for today, yeah, yeah, yeah
Noah thought to build an ark
Before the heavens washed it all away
Black as night
He's got his finger on the trigger
An easy target in sight
He's got no future, no family tree
He's got a three dollar bottle
And he drinks 'til he can't see
All night, all night
A young girl waiting on a line
Eight a.m., she's got a six month old burden
Willpower's withering thin
An unwed mother beaten by her trade
Each week her welfare reminds her
Of mistakes she never made
Oh no
Now what has that to say about tomorrow
What has that to show for today
Noah thought to build an ark
Before the heavens washed it all away
Away
A baby crying through a dream
An afterthought
Mother is seething for pleasure
After the poison is bought
His eyes are tainted, staggered is his breath
Oh God, he's addicted
Addicted to death
Oh, no
Now what has that to say about tomorrow
What has that to show for today, yeah, yeah, yeah
Noah thought to build an ark
Before the heavens washed it all away
Away, yeah
Oh, now
Now what has that to say about tomorrow
What is that to show for today, yeah, yeah, yeah
Noah thought to build an ark
Before the heavens washed it all away
Lyrics submitted by CobCharles
Wash Away Lyrics as written by Keith Michael Kane
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Oh man no comment for arguably VH's best song ever. I think it's pretty obvious what the songs about. Typically Keith Kane writes some of the more cynical stuff.
Yeah, Keith Kane's songs are pretty straight up. There's not a whole lot of meanings that can be derived from this song.
I agree, this is one of the best. Keith Kane is a musical GOD!