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.
Are your friends really your friends? Are you still waiting for the end of the day? Hey, hey, when will you lean to love what's sent from up above? Riga girls go like this, make me wish I was someone else. Oh, riga girls are you sad? Oh, I wish i had someone. Just a little bit of snake oil, tin foil. It takes so little charm to keep you hanging on. But it's a facade like the sky, like the moon, like your eyes. Who would want you as you are? What can you give they couldn't get from someone else? What life of ease, what wedding bells, what pretty stones, what precious wealth? Dont' be lonely, why dont' you call me? It's called a come on, come on, come on baby. Does your heart echo like a hall, 'cause there's no one there at all.
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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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okay he actually explained it at a concert. steve tannen, the guy from the weepies, accidentally got on a spam list and got 500 emails a day. and he was so lonely at this time that sometimes he would actually read them. and he said they all had interesting subjects like 'STEVE!!!' and he would be like, yeah?? lol (he's so cute). so one said "RIGA GIRLS!!!!!!!! GO LIKE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and he opened it and got a TON of porn. lol so but it's a beautiful song, he was able to explain loneliness in this interesting way based on a very odd story. i think the "riga girls are you sad?" part is just... so touching. fantastic band.