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.
Arthur played the bass.
He had an angel's face.
Jiving with the Hoodoos, man,
No-one could take his place
No, No, No!
He needed extra cash
So he drove his brother's cab.
The day we heard the news, you know
It really hit us bad.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
That was the day that Arthur died.
A black gelato van
Finished for the day,
Met with Arthur's taxi head-on
Down St.Kilda way
(By the Prince Of Wales).
That was the way that Arthur died
Upon the day that Arthur died.
He had an angel's face.
Jiving with the Hoodoos, man,
No-one could take his place
No, No, No!
He needed extra cash
So he drove his brother's cab.
The day we heard the news, you know
It really hit us bad.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
That was the day that Arthur died.
A black gelato van
Finished for the day,
Met with Arthur's taxi head-on
Down St.Kilda way
(By the Prince Of Wales).
That was the way that Arthur died
Upon the day that Arthur died.
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According to what I read online (so take this with a grain of salt,) Arthur was in the Hoodoo Gurus when it first formed. At the time, he was the bass player. He also had a job as a taxi driver in Sydney. One evening just as he finished his shift, a drunk driver in a van ran into his taxi, killing both Arthur and the driver of the van. This supposedly occurred on St. Kilda way in Sydney.
@quamp Correction: This is actually a Kinks cover.
@quamp <br /> A Kinks cover in that it has the same name as the Kinks song. The words and the music are completely different. <br /> <br /> This track was a joke. The original HDs had three guitarists and no bass player. The Arthur story and song were made up to explain that. <br /> <br /> St Kilda is in Melbourne, about 1000km south of Sydney. The Prince of Wales hotel was (is?) in St Kilda Road, St Kilda, and was where many Sydney bands used to stay when they were on tour.<br /> <br /> Arthur - The Kinks version<br /> <br /> Arthur was born just a plain simple man<br /> In a plain simple working class position<br /> Though the world was hard and its ways were set<br /> He was young and he had so much ambition<br /> All the way he was overtaken<br /> By the people who make the big decisions<br /> But he tried and he tried for a better life<br /> And a way to improve his own condition<br /> If only life were easy it would be such fun<br /> Things would be more equal and be plenty for everyone<br /> Arthur the world's gone and passed you by<br /> Don't you know it, don't you know it<br /> You can cry, cry all night but it won't make it right<br /> Don't ya know it, don't ya know it<br /> <br /> Arthur we know and we sympathize<br /> Don't ya know it, don't ya know it<br /> Arthur we like you and want to help you<br /> Somebody loves you don't you know it<br /> <br /> How is your life and your Shangri-la<br /> And your long lost land of Hallelujah<br /> And your hope and glory has passed you by<br /> Can't you see what the world is doing to ya<br /> And now we see your children<br /> Sailing off in the setting sun<br /> To a new horizon<br /> Where there's plenty for everyone<br /> Arthur, could be<br /> That the world was wrong<br /> Don't ya know it, don't ya know it<br /> Arthur, could be<br /> You were right all along<br /> Don't ya know it, I hope ya know it<br /> Now we know and we sympathize<br /> We'd like to help you and understand you<br /> Don't ya know it, don't ya know it<br /> Somebody loves you, don't ya know it<br /> Don't ya know it, don't ya know it<br />