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.
move one inch at a time
don't make shit rhyme
would it be easy to repeat the first line?
my mind's not a well, it won't run dry
just keep drinking water and you'll be alright
this is paralysis, with no time at all to let go
well don't call me by my full name
all this is temporary
it feels much better to know
that you won't feel a thing
well don't talk about it
write it down
but don't ask for help
I can't be honest with even myself
did you ever wish you were somebody else?
accomplishments are transient
they pull me in unremittingly
just lasting this long, I feel relieved
let repetition save me
well don't call me by my full name
all this is temporary
it feels much better to know
that you won't feel a thing
well don't talk about it
write it down
but don't ask for help
I can't be honest with even myself
did you ever wish you were somebody else?
move one inch at a time
and you'll be just fine
move one inch at a time and you'll find
they pull me in but accomplishments are transient
they pull me in but accomplishments are transient
well don't call me by my full name
all this is temporary
it feels much better to know
that you won't feel a thing
well don't talk about it
write it down
but don't ask for help
I can't be honest with even myself
did you ever wish you were
did you ever wish you were
did you ever wish you were somebody else?
don't make shit rhyme
would it be easy to repeat the first line?
my mind's not a well, it won't run dry
just keep drinking water and you'll be alright
this is paralysis, with no time at all to let go
well don't call me by my full name
all this is temporary
it feels much better to know
that you won't feel a thing
well don't talk about it
write it down
but don't ask for help
I can't be honest with even myself
did you ever wish you were somebody else?
accomplishments are transient
they pull me in unremittingly
just lasting this long, I feel relieved
let repetition save me
well don't call me by my full name
all this is temporary
it feels much better to know
that you won't feel a thing
well don't talk about it
write it down
but don't ask for help
I can't be honest with even myself
did you ever wish you were somebody else?
move one inch at a time
and you'll be just fine
move one inch at a time and you'll find
they pull me in but accomplishments are transient
they pull me in but accomplishments are transient
well don't call me by my full name
all this is temporary
it feels much better to know
that you won't feel a thing
well don't talk about it
write it down
but don't ask for help
I can't be honest with even myself
did you ever wish you were
did you ever wish you were
did you ever wish you were somebody else?
Lyrics submitted by jsnurk17
The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose (Album) song meanings
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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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and does anyone else find that a song about writer's block is so well written?