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.
I close both locks below the window
I close both blinds and turn away
Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way, oh
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
In cards and flowers on your window
Your friends all plead for you to stay
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way, oh
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
I close both blinds and turn away
Sometimes solutions aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way, oh
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
In cards and flowers on your window
Your friends all plead for you to stay
Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple
Sometimes goodbye's the only way, oh
And the sun will set for you
The sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
And the shadow of the day
Will embrace the world in grey
And the sun will set for you
Lyrics submitted by theDrunkPianist
Shadow of the Day Lyrics as written by Chester Charles Bennington Brad Delson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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Could it be that those who have contemplated suicide tend to see the meaning of suicide in this?
to vandalrocker: It is possible that there are 2 perspectives there if you read it that way. But seems like the writer is talking to a second person. e.g. "I AM having this opinion, what do YOU think?"
In particular, I think the writer is talking to a person who is faced with a choice to stay or leave the group. (This may be his friend or whoever listens to the song.) -"Your friends plead". The catch is, staying would require hard work or conflict. -"Sometimes solutions aren't so simple. Sometimes goodbye's the only way." When you leave one place/group, you meet with another, and start again. -"Sometimes beginnings aren't so simple." And for the person leaving. The sun will set on him/her. That is, the time he/she has with the group is over.
This song relates to a situation my friend was in. He belonged to this organization, and everyone loved him. but because he had great conflict with the boss, he had to leave, or stay and submit to the stubborn boss's unreasonable terms. No one else in the organization was happy with this of course. It all became grey thereafter.
This song could apply to groups of friends splitting and breaking up, perhaps because of certain alliances, and loyalties. When 2 friends in a group become enemies, its easy to take sides. Though this song seems to apply to a single person leaving.