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.
Faster, hammers!
Faster, hammers!
Churn and turn into my late train to my lost love!
Ring away today, stick, bruise into my felt, or so I felt
I found a skeleton tooth in the junk drawer
And I mean to open the folding green and white door
And take a late train to my lost love
Faster, hammers!
Faster, hammers!
Listen to those dead pianos, pins stuck in their hearts
Clang tap bell pedal down dead wood chipped and dull dark steel
Rattling and chattering and chilly on a damp November afternoon
On tracks 1 and 2
And 12 and 13
On that ribbon spinning and computer colors
Tick tacks on round wire
Spun steel spark on three rail thin lines
See a minor, a little girl
Ask if she would like for instance some fudge
But I didn't budge, and said I didn't care
I wanted to sit, and I wanted to stare
Spin steel, tick tack on three little strings
Made three little rails made one note clunk
Three rails squeaking and sputtering down the west side
I found a skeleton tooth in the junk drawer
And I mean to open the folding green and white door
And take a late train to my lost love
Faster, hammers!
Faster, hammers!
Chatter down the tracks, you thumb tack smiley skull teeth
Ticking 5 dollar throwaway pianos past
A late train to my lost love
Listen to those dead pianos, pins stuck in their hearts
Clang tap bell pedal down dead wood chipped and dull dark steel
Rattling and chattering and chilly on a damp November afternoon
On tracks 1 and 2
And 12 and 13
On that ribbon spinning and computer colors
Tick tacks on round wire
Spun steel spark on three rail thin lines
Late, by act of Congress and blue all the way to Forest Park
And this ribbon spinning and computer color
Into a public transport for everyone to hear
And get on track
And back to my lost love
Faster, hammers!
Faster, hammers!
We're almost there
Faster, hammers!
We're almost there
I'd like to tell you a story, kids
But instead I'll change the subject
Listen to this tune, it sounds like a condolence card
Bought at the last minute for someone you can't stand
For someone you never liked
And isn't it cute
La la la
Listen to this tune I'm playing now, kids
Does it seem sad?
Does it remind you of when?
Faster, hammers!
Churn and turn into my late train to my lost love!
Ring away today, stick, bruise into my felt, or so I felt
I found a skeleton tooth in the junk drawer
And I mean to open the folding green and white door
And take a late train to my lost love
Faster, hammers!
Faster, hammers!
Listen to those dead pianos, pins stuck in their hearts
Clang tap bell pedal down dead wood chipped and dull dark steel
Rattling and chattering and chilly on a damp November afternoon
On tracks 1 and 2
And 12 and 13
On that ribbon spinning and computer colors
Tick tacks on round wire
Spun steel spark on three rail thin lines
See a minor, a little girl
Ask if she would like for instance some fudge
But I didn't budge, and said I didn't care
I wanted to sit, and I wanted to stare
Spin steel, tick tack on three little strings
Made three little rails made one note clunk
Three rails squeaking and sputtering down the west side
I found a skeleton tooth in the junk drawer
And I mean to open the folding green and white door
And take a late train to my lost love
Faster, hammers!
Faster, hammers!
Chatter down the tracks, you thumb tack smiley skull teeth
Ticking 5 dollar throwaway pianos past
A late train to my lost love
Listen to those dead pianos, pins stuck in their hearts
Clang tap bell pedal down dead wood chipped and dull dark steel
Rattling and chattering and chilly on a damp November afternoon
On tracks 1 and 2
And 12 and 13
On that ribbon spinning and computer colors
Tick tacks on round wire
Spun steel spark on three rail thin lines
Late, by act of Congress and blue all the way to Forest Park
And this ribbon spinning and computer color
Into a public transport for everyone to hear
And get on track
And back to my lost love
Faster, hammers!
Faster, hammers!
We're almost there
Faster, hammers!
We're almost there
I'd like to tell you a story, kids
But instead I'll change the subject
Listen to this tune, it sounds like a condolence card
Bought at the last minute for someone you can't stand
For someone you never liked
And isn't it cute
La la la
Listen to this tune I'm playing now, kids
Does it seem sad?
Does it remind you of when?
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FASTER HAMMERS
FASTER HAMMERS