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.
There's a woman that you ought to know,
And she's coming, singing soft and low,
Singing rock and roll, she's a joy to know.
'Neath the shadow of a soothing hand,
I am free there, just to make my plans,
Dream of faraway lands, anything close at hand.
And she will follow me wide, do you know
Familiar places she's been by, that I know
Could it be, she don't have to try.
And tomorrow, she's a friend of mine
And the sorrow, I see her face is lined
She's no longer blind, she's just hard to find.
And she's coming, singing soft and low,
Singing rock and roll, she's a joy to know.
'Neath the shadow of a soothing hand,
I am free there, just to make my plans,
Dream of faraway lands, anything close at hand.
And she will follow me wide, do you know
Familiar places she's been by, that I know
Could it be, she don't have to try.
And tomorrow, she's a friend of mine
And the sorrow, I see her face is lined
She's no longer blind, she's just hard to find.
Lyrics submitted by Broken_Arrow
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
i actually just read that its about grace slick
I've heard its about Grace Slick and also heard a few people who have said that its about Janis Joplin. This is one of the songs on the album Buffalo Springfield Again that does not feature Neil Young on it. According to rumors and I guess you could say legend, it was recorded shortly after David Crosby got fired from the Byrds and the background vocals are him, Stills and Richie Furay. Its a prelude to CSN.
@twarn85 -- Yeah, I also heard somewhere it's about Janis, who was pretty much unknown in the San Fran scene up until Monterrey. That's why it seems like he is introducing her in the opening line of the song. <br /> <br /> The final lines also "she's a friend of mine, she's no longer blind, she's just hard to find." Now that she is famous, her eyes are opened to a whole different world, and even though she's still a friend, good luck tracking her down, for she's busy all the time. <br /> <br /> I have no idea how the middle stanza fits in. It does indeed seem like a drug taking influence. Who the F knows?
@twarn85 way to early to be about Janis Joplin that's incorrect. the song is in fact about Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane. that is undoubtedly David Crosby background harmonies with Stephen Stills. of which they both went on to form the band CSN Crosby,Stills and Nash.
The woman represents something along the lines of happiness. It could be a drug I'm guessing weed or heroine. It's just about how it's a comforting thing that will help him out and will be there for him.
i agree that the woman represents some kind of happiness, possibly some kind of enlightenment, piece of mind, or just a drug. although the last stanza doesnt seem like hes singing about drugs.
somebody please explain how this has one comment and for what it's worth has 40+
Of course it could be the classic subject of poetry, i.e. the Music Muse, the woman behind all music.
As I read it as poetry, it seems to fit... and at the close....
"And the sorrow, I see her face is lined" (because pure music has been perverted and made uglier... with no harmony or beauty)
She's no longer blind, she's just hard to find. (her innocence is gone... as is the song writer's, making it harder for both of them to enjoy the free flow of being together and making something beautiful.)
Dang... I should get an A on this !