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.
When the night comes,
everything gold turns gray
Silence seems to be as loud,
as a scream in a hall
Let me touch your face, let me smell your hair
I know, I know, I'm not worth your time
Can we talk a while, I had hoped for more
But I know I am worthless, not worth your time
Not worth your fucking time, no
Back the fuck up off me
I won't stand for your abuse, no
Each moment I'm with you
I feel betrayed
Turn the fuck around
Go back from where you came
You will never change me
When the night comes,
everything gold turns gray
Silence seems to be as loud,
as a scream in a hall
I don't fear the past, but I fear the future
I fear the opposite of me
I don't fear the past, I fear the opposite of me
So take this how you want to
It won't change the way I feel, no
As world comes crashing down on you
everything gold turns gray
Silence seems to be as loud,
as a scream in a hall
Let me touch your face, let me smell your hair
I know, I know, I'm not worth your time
Can we talk a while, I had hoped for more
But I know I am worthless, not worth your time
Not worth your fucking time, no
Back the fuck up off me
I won't stand for your abuse, no
Each moment I'm with you
I feel betrayed
Turn the fuck around
Go back from where you came
You will never change me
When the night comes,
everything gold turns gray
Silence seems to be as loud,
as a scream in a hall
I don't fear the past, but I fear the future
I fear the opposite of me
I don't fear the past, I fear the opposite of me
So take this how you want to
It won't change the way I feel, no
As world comes crashing down on you
Lyrics submitted by 24x24
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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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