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.
Darling, that morning you chose to go
I awoke in my boots and clothes
You dig in my cards, stole all my cash
Even my five-hundred dollar suit was slashed
And I just lay there watching the sun fall down from the sky
Not wanting to open the letter
But opening it anyway
And seeing those two words
Lover, lover, goodbye
So slowly goes the night
Next to me lies your body
Laying like the map of some forbidden land
I trace the ghosts of your bones
With my trembling hand
Dark is my night
And darker is my day yeah
I must've been blind
Out of my mind
I never, never saw the warning signs
How goes it?
It goes lonely
It goes slowly
So slowly goes the night
Ten lonely days, ten lonely nights
Come on
I watch the moon get flayed each night
Until the moon becomes the skinning knife
The skins of my sins I send to cover and comfort you
I know of a Heaven
Oh, but honey I know of a Hell, yeah
I hang my head
I toss in my bed
I never, never forget the words you said
"One evening, I'm leaving"
And I laughed and checked her breathing
And said darling
Oh, go slowly through the night
Oh baby, I feel the heal of time
And it hurts
I wake to find you sitting right there
Cutting tangles out of your hair
Singing a song that's all wrong
Hey, but that's alright, I don't care
Oh, I'm sorry
For all the misery, yeah
I reach out and embrace an empty space
A song that slowly slowly fades
Where goes it?
It goes some place
It goes somewhere, where it's lonely
And black as the night
Come on home, baby
Let's put things right, put things right
I hang my head and cry cry cry
Darling, all night I try
To cease on a reason for this mad mad season
The nights, the nights they are so long now
I can't remember being in light
Call it sleep, call it death, call it what you like
But only sleep, dear
Only sleep brings you back to life, yeah
I hang my head
I toss and I sweat
I never, never, never can forget
How goes it?
Well I'm going, baby, slowly slowly going
And we both know that it's gonna be alright
But it ain't you that has to cry cry cry
Ten lonely days, ten lonely nights
Since you left my side, side, side
I awoke in my boots and clothes
You dig in my cards, stole all my cash
Even my five-hundred dollar suit was slashed
And I just lay there watching the sun fall down from the sky
Not wanting to open the letter
But opening it anyway
And seeing those two words
Lover, lover, goodbye
So slowly goes the night
Next to me lies your body
Laying like the map of some forbidden land
I trace the ghosts of your bones
With my trembling hand
Dark is my night
And darker is my day yeah
I must've been blind
Out of my mind
I never, never saw the warning signs
How goes it?
It goes lonely
It goes slowly
So slowly goes the night
Ten lonely days, ten lonely nights
Come on
I watch the moon get flayed each night
Until the moon becomes the skinning knife
The skins of my sins I send to cover and comfort you
I know of a Heaven
Oh, but honey I know of a Hell, yeah
I hang my head
I toss in my bed
I never, never forget the words you said
"One evening, I'm leaving"
And I laughed and checked her breathing
And said darling
Oh, go slowly through the night
Oh baby, I feel the heal of time
And it hurts
I wake to find you sitting right there
Cutting tangles out of your hair
Singing a song that's all wrong
Hey, but that's alright, I don't care
Oh, I'm sorry
For all the misery, yeah
I reach out and embrace an empty space
A song that slowly slowly fades
Where goes it?
It goes some place
It goes somewhere, where it's lonely
And black as the night
Come on home, baby
Let's put things right, put things right
I hang my head and cry cry cry
Darling, all night I try
To cease on a reason for this mad mad season
The nights, the nights they are so long now
I can't remember being in light
Call it sleep, call it death, call it what you like
But only sleep, dear
Only sleep brings you back to life, yeah
I hang my head
I toss and I sweat
I never, never, never can forget
How goes it?
Well I'm going, baby, slowly slowly going
And we both know that it's gonna be alright
But it ain't you that has to cry cry cry
Ten lonely days, ten lonely nights
Since you left my side, side, side
Lyrics submitted by Dressed2Depress, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Slowly Goes the Night Lyrics as written by Nicholas Cave
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Silent Planet
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I have the same version that you have, Yachiko.