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.
It was way past midnight
And she still couldn't fall asleep.
This night the dream was leaving
She tried so hard to keep.
And with the new day's dawning
She felt it drift away.
Not only for a cruise
Not only for a day
Too long ago, too long apart
She couldn't wait another day for
The captain of her heart.
As the day came up, she made a stop.
She stopped waiting another day for
The captain of her heart.
And she still couldn't fall asleep.
This night the dream was leaving
She tried so hard to keep.
And with the new day's dawning
She felt it drift away.
Not only for a cruise
Not only for a day
Too long ago, too long apart
She couldn't wait another day for
The captain of her heart.
As the day came up, she made a stop.
She stopped waiting another day for
The captain of her heart.
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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,
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Cool story Kaptin. I was born in '82. I remember laying in my bed late at night with the window open and a small clock radio playing softly by my bed. This song always kept me in good company.