Warren wanted a Beach Boys thing for this one, and Carl Wilson and Billy Hinsche came in, with Carl arranging the vocal parts. The other harmony vocalists (credited as the "Gentlemen Boys") were Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Zevon's longtime backers Waddy Wachtel and Jorge Calderon, and Linda Rondstadt/Stone Poneys guitarist Kenny Edwards.
once, when i
looked and saw you standing by the subway line
and if you found out
it was a lie
i would die to know where you lie and go
oh, what does it mean?
baby didn't show up on the 8:15
and should you love another guy
i would die to know where you lie and go lets (?) say tonight
try a little lie
with a sunny smile and a witty eye
and you may find a smiling kind
and a little air between your lips and i
o, try, i'm a slacker baby so don't be surprised
if you don't find, you can confine
when i'm on my knees looking for recipes
so won't you answer the phone
and tell me you're all alone
i saw you everyday
i'm begging you to don't go away
I don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything
should have called you baby
maybe just a little bit
i don't even like it when
you're making all the noise for me
i don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything...
hold on, you didn't tell me baby you'd be back at dawn
or in the backseat out by your lawn
i would die to know where you lie and go
o, no, having trouble finding out which way to go
i'm stuck in slow mo,
looking on the ground for the love i found
so won't you answer the phone
and tell me you're all alone
i saw you everyday
i'm begging you to don't go away
I don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything
should have called you baby
maybe just a little bit
i don't even like it when
you're making all the noise for me
i don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything...
looked and saw you standing by the subway line
and if you found out
it was a lie
i would die to know where you lie and go
oh, what does it mean?
baby didn't show up on the 8:15
and should you love another guy
i would die to know where you lie and go lets (?) say tonight
try a little lie
with a sunny smile and a witty eye
and you may find a smiling kind
and a little air between your lips and i
o, try, i'm a slacker baby so don't be surprised
if you don't find, you can confine
when i'm on my knees looking for recipes
so won't you answer the phone
and tell me you're all alone
i saw you everyday
i'm begging you to don't go away
I don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything
should have called you baby
maybe just a little bit
i don't even like it when
you're making all the noise for me
i don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything...
hold on, you didn't tell me baby you'd be back at dawn
or in the backseat out by your lawn
i would die to know where you lie and go
o, no, having trouble finding out which way to go
i'm stuck in slow mo,
looking on the ground for the love i found
so won't you answer the phone
and tell me you're all alone
i saw you everyday
i'm begging you to don't go away
I don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything
should have called you baby
maybe just a little bit
i don't even like it when
you're making all the noise for me
i don't even know your name
couldn't call you anything...
Lyrics submitted by lakremadude, edited by meloneater
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Spirit Within
Bertoldi Brothers
Bertoldi Brothers
The Spy
Doors, The
Doors, The
Like a lot of the other comments are saying, I think this mainly about voyeurism. If the song was about his girlfriend, then why would he use the word spy. If you are a spy it means you shouldn't be caught, that is kind of the whole point, and if you are a voyeur, the whole point of the pleasure you get from it, is the fact that the other people don't know you are watching them. See a bit of a connection there?
when rules change
Life in Your Way
Life in Your Way
High life
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
theres a lot of spelling mistakes in those lyrics. i like the song it is really catchy.