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.
Raindrops bang like rocks
On my windowpane
I thought they'd never stop
Never see the sun again
And I've been sleeping in
For way too long
Mm, wake up, enough's enough
Yeah, those days are gone
I'm gonna throw out my raincoat
Mm, I hope it's all right
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues pass me by
You left me a wreck
Just like a rusty trombone
But some things, they just sting
Enough to move you along, hey
I'm gonna throw out my raincoat
Mmm, I hope it's all right
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues pass me by
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues, oh
I'm not gonna wait around
I'm throwin' this old thing out
Mm, oh
I'm gonna throw out my raincoat
Mm, I hope it's all right
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues, blues, blues pass me by
Mm, I don't need those blues hanging around
On my windowpane
I thought they'd never stop
Never see the sun again
And I've been sleeping in
For way too long
Mm, wake up, enough's enough
Yeah, those days are gone
I'm gonna throw out my raincoat
Mm, I hope it's all right
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues pass me by
You left me a wreck
Just like a rusty trombone
But some things, they just sting
Enough to move you along, hey
I'm gonna throw out my raincoat
Mmm, I hope it's all right
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues pass me by
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues, oh
I'm not gonna wait around
I'm throwin' this old thing out
Mm, oh
I'm gonna throw out my raincoat
Mm, I hope it's all right
Gonna go find me a rainbow
And hang it up in the sky
Blues, blues, blues pass me by
Mm, I don't need those blues hanging around
Lyrics submitted by eatlotacheese
Raincoat Lyrics as written by Hillary Lindsey Brett James
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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”
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
GREAT song