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 wife forgave the mistress
For she only entertained
The pain was gone the instant
She cleared her throat to speak her name
Said, Both of us must suffer
From this same unending ache?
The world was not of interest
Though her days were never dull
Her bed beneath a crucifix
On guests performing miracles
With the Son of God just hanging like a common criminal
"When I do wrong, I am with God," she thought
"When I feel lost, I am not at all"
So give me black light
(Give, give me)
So give me hot knives
(Deep clean sleep)
On a dance floor no one tells time
(There is no time)
Oh, I've made love, yeah, I've been fucked, so what?
I'm a cartoon, you're a full moon, let's stay up
She went to see a mystic
Who made medicine from rain
And gave up her existence
To feel everything, dream other's dreams
Bid farewell to her family
With one ecstatic wave
(Please take care, I love you all)
Out the window as the car rolled away
She just vanished into a thick mist of change
So let us rejoice
(Let's rejoice!)
In all this pink noise
(Our pink noise!)
An oscillation that we can pinpoint
(We're right here!)
For she only entertained
The pain was gone the instant
She cleared her throat to speak her name
Said, Both of us must suffer
From this same unending ache?
The world was not of interest
Though her days were never dull
Her bed beneath a crucifix
On guests performing miracles
With the Son of God just hanging like a common criminal
"When I do wrong, I am with God," she thought
"When I feel lost, I am not at all"
So give me black light
(Give, give me)
So give me hot knives
(Deep clean sleep)
On a dance floor no one tells time
(There is no time)
Oh, I've made love, yeah, I've been fucked, so what?
I'm a cartoon, you're a full moon, let's stay up
She went to see a mystic
Who made medicine from rain
And gave up her existence
To feel everything, dream other's dreams
Bid farewell to her family
With one ecstatic wave
(Please take care, I love you all)
Out the window as the car rolled away
She just vanished into a thick mist of change
So let us rejoice
(Let's rejoice!)
In all this pink noise
(Our pink noise!)
An oscillation that we can pinpoint
(We're right here!)
Lyrics submitted by light_pollution
Hot Knives Lyrics as written by Conor Oberst
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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,
well it's not that different from what i said then, except for the...err...species thing.