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.
Jupiter Hollow
Northern Lights
Cast a glow through the window late last night
I went to follow through the sycamore
When I found myself in a place
I'd never been before
There was a unicorn and a dragon queen
Beneath the burgundy sky
I saw an old soldier singin' a love song
He had the distance in his eye
[Chorus]
Livin' in another world
Livin' in another time
Like a comet I was hurled
Oh, livin' in another world
Jupiter Hollow
So far, so near
Like a time machine take you out to a different year
Phoebus Apollo played on his lyre
While we danced to the music of the sphere
And as the moon went down and the sun came up
With the mercury risin' too
'Twas then the prophet said the secret of the dead
I'll whisper it to you
[Chorus]
Jupiter Hollow
In the midnight sun
Well, no man of dreams was ever more outdone
Where the swallows circle over head
And muses gather by the river of the tears we shed
Just like a pioneer in the new frontier
I don't know where to begin
Because nobody cares when a man goes mad
And tries to free the ghost within
[Chorus]
Northern Lights
Cast a glow through the window late last night
I went to follow through the sycamore
When I found myself in a place
I'd never been before
There was a unicorn and a dragon queen
Beneath the burgundy sky
I saw an old soldier singin' a love song
He had the distance in his eye
[Chorus]
Livin' in another world
Livin' in another time
Like a comet I was hurled
Oh, livin' in another world
Jupiter Hollow
So far, so near
Like a time machine take you out to a different year
Phoebus Apollo played on his lyre
While we danced to the music of the sphere
And as the moon went down and the sun came up
With the mercury risin' too
'Twas then the prophet said the secret of the dead
I'll whisper it to you
[Chorus]
Jupiter Hollow
In the midnight sun
Well, no man of dreams was ever more outdone
Where the swallows circle over head
And muses gather by the river of the tears we shed
Just like a pioneer in the new frontier
I don't know where to begin
Because nobody cares when a man goes mad
And tries to free the ghost within
[Chorus]
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