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.
My dear now look at what you've done
Were you only thinking of number one?
You never stop to consider numbers two and three You never stop to consider your mother and me
Now in a few days
You'll be on a plane flying miles away from me
You're stationed overseas
And now that you've signed the dotted line
Is it really too late to change your mind?
You should really think it over if it's not too late
You should really think it over for your own sake Your mother's a mess
But she'll get it together, now do what's best for you
And maybe this country of ours too
We always knew you'd leave
But we never thought the day would come so soon It's so hard to believe
That the day has come to live on without you
And we shouldn't ever have to
Were you only thinking of number one?
You never stop to consider numbers two and three You never stop to consider your mother and me
Now in a few days
You'll be on a plane flying miles away from me
You're stationed overseas
And now that you've signed the dotted line
Is it really too late to change your mind?
You should really think it over if it's not too late
You should really think it over for your own sake Your mother's a mess
But she'll get it together, now do what's best for you
And maybe this country of ours too
We always knew you'd leave
But we never thought the day would come so soon It's so hard to believe
That the day has come to live on without you
And we shouldn't ever have to
Lyrics submitted by vulgar
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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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