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.
Grandma burned the biscuits
Nearly took the house down with it
Now she's in assisted livin'
We all knew that day would come
We knew she was too gone to drive
The day she parked on I-65
Found her on the shoulder cryin'
She didn't know where she was
It's like her mind just quit
Oh, but bring up Grandpa
It's like someone flipped a switch
A front porch light and a blue DeSoto
Couple of straws in a Coca-Cola
You could see it all goin' down
A handsome boy in army green
A tear on his face, down on a knee
Shaky voice, a diamond ring
She'll put you in that town
Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today
But just ask her about Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948
She takes out his medals
A cigar box of letters
Sits and scatters pictures
Black and whites of days gone by
We started losing her when she lost him
But to hear her carry on
You'd swear she's seventeen again
Football games and leaves are cracklin'
Walking her home in his leather jacket
You can see it all goin' down
A perfect night on a front porch glider
Sayin' goodnight for the next three hours
Her tired eyes grow wide and bright
When she talks about that town
Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today
But just ask her about Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948
While the world is fading all around her
Sharin' a sundae at the counter
He's goin' on and on about her
Bet she's right there right now
Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today
But just ask her about Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948
Nearly took the house down with it
Now she's in assisted livin'
We all knew that day would come
We knew she was too gone to drive
The day she parked on I-65
Found her on the shoulder cryin'
She didn't know where she was
It's like her mind just quit
Oh, but bring up Grandpa
It's like someone flipped a switch
A front porch light and a blue DeSoto
Couple of straws in a Coca-Cola
You could see it all goin' down
A handsome boy in army green
A tear on his face, down on a knee
Shaky voice, a diamond ring
She'll put you in that town
Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today
But just ask her about Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948
She takes out his medals
A cigar box of letters
Sits and scatters pictures
Black and whites of days gone by
We started losing her when she lost him
But to hear her carry on
You'd swear she's seventeen again
Football games and leaves are cracklin'
Walking her home in his leather jacket
You can see it all goin' down
A perfect night on a front porch glider
Sayin' goodnight for the next three hours
Her tired eyes grow wide and bright
When she talks about that town
Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today
But just ask her about Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948
While the world is fading all around her
Sharin' a sundae at the counter
He's goin' on and on about her
Bet she's right there right now
Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today
But just ask her about Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948
Lyrics submitted by queenvictoria_14
Ellsworth Lyrics as written by Neil Thrasher Michael William Dulaney
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Major Bob Music, Inc. / Rio Bravo Music, Inc. / Castle Bound Music, Inc. / Hanna Bea Songs, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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lol I added this song the other day, I love it so much. I wasn't really expecting anyone to comment on it this fast, so I will :D. If you haven't listened to it, DO! In my opinion, it's even more heart-wrenching than "Skin." This song is so sweet. "Found her on the shoulder cryin', she didn't know where she was." She can't remember anything, but she'll never forget her husband and the love of her life. "Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today, but just ask her 'bout Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948." Amazing song.
this song is amazing... i'd listened to it a few times when the words- Tomorrow she won't remember what she did today, but just ask her 'bout Ellsworth, Kansas, 1948 and it completely hit me.. i have a grandfather with alzheimers and so this song is just so poweful because he is such a different person in the past few years and the line about found her on the shoulder crying... my grandfather is no longer allowed to drive because he has gotten lost driving, but also now he isn't allowed to walk to the corner store to get the paper because he gets lost... such a great and powerful song that really hits close to home about a loved one going through alzheimers and knowing the past from when they were young better than yesterday
This song definitely reminds me of my grandma. It's sooo sad! I'll go to see her (she's in a nursing home now) and the next day if I go, she doesn't remember. Or I'll go see her and she asks me what the rest of the family is doing over and over and over and over and well I think you get the picture. But it's really sad b/c she doesn't know she's doing this! I can totally relate to this song. I suggest you listen to it if you haven't yet!
i love this song, my favorite on the new album.
i don't have any personal experiences to relate to, but it really reminds me of the notebook.
i love this song, my favorite on the new album.
i don't have any personal experiences to relate to, but it really reminds me of the notebook.
I love this song :)... my grandpa used to be in the army as well and now he's passed. We pretty much lost my grandma then too. her memory's still fine but she just doesnt seem the same... but ellsworth is such a good song. i listen to it to go to sleep :D
This is a really good song and it's also really cool because I'm from Kansas, and Ellsworth is just a small town and the football part just fit perfeclty. I like this song because it's not only about losing your memory its about losing a loved one
This is such a beautiful song. i cry every time it plays. Shows the power of love thats tied to memory
this song is about a sweet old lady with alzheimers disease, she gets lost out on the highway and is starting to forget things, but she remembers her husband who died like it was yesterday. this is usually the case with alzheimers patients, they think that are living in the past. this is a great song, it really hits home for a lot of people, my great uncle had alzheimers... if you have never heard this song, u need to hear it!!
this song is so touching... i agree that it's more heartwrenching than skin. i can't help but be moved every time I hear it, i almost get misty. so sweet, the song really does "put you in that town." i have a grandma that i love very much, she had a stroke and hasn't really been the same.... this song reminds me of her.