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.
The tiger waits in the bushes by the lake,
but I'll never tear you apart.
With a love so pure, our knees will shake
and tremble.
There were tracks in the silt where the stream becomes still
...but I'll never rip out your heart.
You're such a gentle a beast-
oh you never got tough,
like I got tough.
Like I got tough.
The faces in the window -
oh, they're just my friends.
I promise I won't let them in.
Oh, they live in the corn,
where they die and they're born -
where the blades go around,
churn up the ground
to open the over-toild soil.
ooooooooo baby.
ooooooooo baby.
ooooooooo babe.
Slashed 'cross the back,
your spine almost snapped.
I put three bullets in its face,
and I hung it from a tree,
for the other ones to see
what happens if
you mess with me.
but I'll never tear you apart.
With a love so pure, our knees will shake
and tremble.
There were tracks in the silt where the stream becomes still
...but I'll never rip out your heart.
You're such a gentle a beast-
oh you never got tough,
like I got tough.
Like I got tough.
The faces in the window -
oh, they're just my friends.
I promise I won't let them in.
Oh, they live in the corn,
where they die and they're born -
where the blades go around,
churn up the ground
to open the over-toild soil.
ooooooooo baby.
ooooooooo baby.
ooooooooo babe.
Slashed 'cross the back,
your spine almost snapped.
I put three bullets in its face,
and I hung it from a tree,
for the other ones to see
what happens if
you mess with me.
Lyrics submitted by TrustNo121000
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An astounding song. It floors me every time. The imagery of land, water and beasts - nature, and the total bravery of what's disclosed is stunning. I wouldn't care to guess what Martin's meaning is, but to me, broadly, it seems to be an account of being torn apart by love, with a sort of injured outrageous irony about it.
Nice review. It's really amazing how unknown this guy is. Sometimes I get the feeling he's doing it on purpose, but it would be nice if he got some success. I remember the first time I heard this C.D.- it was like nothing else I've ever heard before, and it's still one of the most overplayed CD's I have. I read somewhere that the whole thing was his way of coping with overwhelming loneliness he was going through. <br /> Martin Tielli and the Be Good Tanyas are the last two things I must see live before I can theoretically call it quits.
(There are things trying to keep them apart.) The tiger waits in the bushes by the lake,
(He's promising that he'll never hurt her or use their love to his own selfish advantage.) but I'll never tear you apart. With a love so pure, our knees will shake and tremble.
There were tracks in the silt where the stream becomes still ...but I'll never rip out your heart.
(She hasn't been hurt by the world as much as he has. She hasn't grown cold.) You're such a gentle a beast- oh you never got tough, like I got tough. Like I got tough.
(The faces in the window are his past ghosts and problems and he's saying that he wont bring them into their current relationship.) The faces in the window - oh, they're just my friends. I promise I won't let them in. Oh, they live in the corn, where they die and they're born - where the blades go around, churn up the ground to open the over-toild soil. ooooooooo baby. ooooooooo baby. ooooooooo babe.
(Something hurt his lover.) Slashed 'cross the back, your spine almost snapped.
(So he goes and "takes care" of the issue in a way that will show others that he'll do whatever it takes to keep them together.) I put three bullets in its face, and I hung it from a tree, for the other ones to see what happens if you mess with me.
But that's just me.