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.
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There's one to say that night has come
And there's one that guards this jagged shore
And there's one to call the children home
And there's one to light the path they take
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There's one to keep the shadows off
And there's one that tells me she got home
And there's one to read his novel by
And there's one that warms this dreary room
And there's one to watch the baby sleep
And there's one to count the blinking stars
And there's one that I just can't forget
And there's one that I remember too
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There's one that waits for closing time
And there's one that gets left on all night
And there's one that marks the western sky
And it shines down on the quiet street
And there's one that floods the darker parts
And there's one that hurts my tired eyes
And there's one that says she's not asleep
And there's one that waits for her to wake
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There is one that spills out on the beach
And it sparkles on the jetting rocks
And there is one that waits for tired ships
That sleep within this tired port
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There's one to say that night has come
And there's one that guards this jagged shore
And there's one to call the children home
And there's one to light the path they take
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There's one to keep the shadows off
And there's one that tells me she got home
And there's one to read his novel by
And there's one that warms this dreary room
And there's one to watch the baby sleep
And there's one to count the blinking stars
And there's one that I just can't forget
And there's one that I remember too
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There's one that waits for closing time
And there's one that gets left on all night
And there's one that marks the western sky
And it shines down on the quiet street
And there's one that floods the darker parts
And there's one that hurts my tired eyes
And there's one that says she's not asleep
And there's one that waits for her to wake
How many lights do you see?
How many lights do you see?
There is one that spills out on the beach
And it sparkles on the jetting rocks
And there is one that waits for tired ships
That sleep within this tired port
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Driving Fast Through a Big City at Night Lyrics as written by Conor Oberst Oberst
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think the female says "well you keep looking up at her door"
then the male says "better get you a pair of glasses for those eyes you got in the back of your head"
at the very end of the song and it's very quiet you can hear a different male voice say "how's it working out for ya kid?" and then the response "what?" and then the male says "learnin how to drive"
that last little bit is the best part of the song in my opinion, but you have to listen closely for it.
Can anyone make out what's being said in the random televised audio samples?
At one point I hear, "you're a rotten spoiled selfish quitter."
and later I hear, "did you and _____ have a falling out today?"
"no, why would you say that?"
then about 10 seconds later, can make out, "things are gonna get better, don't you worry."
i hear, in order.
male- "let's go"
....mumbling....
female- "youre a rotten spoiled selfish quitter. you cant stand..... i dont like him one bit. sorry i even brought it up. ugh."
male- laugh/cough.
female- "you and nikki (?) have a falling out today?"
male- "what made you think that?"
female- "well you keep looking up .. at the dress(?)."
male- "better get you a pair of glasses for those eyes you got..."
female- "things are going to get better, don't you worry."
male- "oh did ___ say that?"
female- "its the truth, just wait and see."
male- mumbling to the end.
I LOVE THIS SONG. i always think of an older black and white film and like leave it to beaver. hahahaha.
it seems like something Her Space Holiday would have worked with Bright Eyes on... but it's not. so great. great for a great great album.
yayuhhhh. this song is weird but great! :D
this is what i hear...
Male - I still don’t like it. Male – Alright _what does that make me? Female - That makes you a rotten, spoiled, selfish quitter. You can’t __after all he’s gone through. and I don’t like him one bit. Sorry I even brought it up! Male – laughs Female – You and have a falling out today? Male – What made you think that? Female – Well, you keep looking up at his door… Male – Better get you a pair of glasses for those eyes you got in the back of your head. Female – Things are gonna get better, don’t you worry. Male – Oh __ say that? Or are you trying to make me feel better Female – It’s the truth. Just wait and see.
and then all i hear is mumbling...
Male - I still don’t like it. Male – Alright _what does that make me? Female - That makes you a rotten, spoiled, selfish quitter. You can’t little Nicky(?) after all he’s gone through. __and I don’t like him one bit. Sorry I even brought it up! Male – laughs Female – You and Nicky have a falling out today? Male – What made you think that? Female – Well, you keep looking up at his door… Male – Better get you a pair of glasses for those eyes you got in the back of your head. Female – Things are gonna get better, don’t you worry. Male – Oh did Jed say that? Or are you trying to make me feel better Female – It’s the truth. Just wait and see. Male - I don't really expect anything that quick (?). Everything he said last night had...(mumbling)
Thats what i hear anyway
what movie is all the audio samples from?
i'm pretty sure it's from that bright eyes movie..... <br /> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrightEyes(film)<br /> because it's where the name bright eyes came from, this song's from his early years, and the dialog fits the plot pretty well (i haven't watched it yet, i will soon!)
i like this song, it's fun