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.
Force yourself to breathe
My hand is in the air
To stop the cough;
Redirect your sleeves
Spittle leaves the sphere
Can't wash off;
Kiss me kiss me please
I washed behind my ears
The lights are off;
Be careful who you tease
There's an easy chair
On the chopping block;
Careful who you tease
My hand is in the air
To stop the cough;
Redirect your sleeves
Spittle leaves the sphere
Can't wash off;
Kiss me kiss me please
I washed behind my ears
The lights are off;
Be careful who you tease
There's an easy chair
On the chopping block;
Careful who you tease
Lyrics submitted by wordupbiznatch, edited by timothyjoneslo, k2baby
Cough Coughing Lyrics as written by Daniel Frederic Seim Brent Knopf
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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I don't think the first few lines are right... it's: my hand is ONLY THERE and redirect your SNEEZE and THE spittle leaves a SMEAR and I can't wash off
and I think its I'll wash behind my ears... but other than that yeah. great great song
i agree- ahab i think you're right. That's why I was going to post also.
Yea the lyrics are wrong but I really like this song one of my favorites
very creepy vocals and instrumentals, but still awesome
this one seems to be giving a short narrative to do with his feelings toward a girl (presumably) for whom he has feelings, or with whom there's some sort of something going on, so he's telling her to kiss him because he's clean (translation: it's safe) - but he's also telling her to be careful (easy chair on the chopping block - easy not to realize you're in a danger zone - careful who you tease!) and to keep her distance (redirect your sneeze, etc. - he's trying to minimize contact.)
i like how succintly they manage to convey all this stuff. it's great, perfect opening track to the album