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.
Well, you said you wanted war
But nobody wants to fail the future
If you say it's too late
It's not too late, it's not too late, whoa
I wanna wake up on the day I found you
I wanna wrap these shaky arms around you
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
I wanna take this in the wrong direction
I wanna say this to my own reflection
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
Right now, it was the words that you were gunning for
All I wanted was to let you know
Just wait a second
And I'll give you what you're waiting for
I'll make a promise and refuse to show
Things fall apart
Well, you said you wanted more
(You said you wanted more)
But nobody wants to wait forever
If you say it's too late
It's not too late, it's not too late, whoa
I wanna show you all the things I promised
I wanna give away the things I won't miss
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
I wanna write down all the things you say
I wanna have you in you my life today
I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops
Cause I'm tired of being alone
Right now, it was the words that you were gunning for
All I wanted was to let you know
Just wait a second
And I'll give you what you're waiting for
I'll make a promise and refuse to show (x2)
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van, whoa
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van, whoa
Not too late
Don't have to wait
You want it all
Not too late
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
Don't have to wait
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
You want it all
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know, whoa
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know, whoa
But nobody wants to fail the future
If you say it's too late
It's not too late, it's not too late, whoa
I wanna wake up on the day I found you
I wanna wrap these shaky arms around you
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
I wanna take this in the wrong direction
I wanna say this to my own reflection
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
Right now, it was the words that you were gunning for
All I wanted was to let you know
Just wait a second
And I'll give you what you're waiting for
I'll make a promise and refuse to show
Things fall apart
Well, you said you wanted more
(You said you wanted more)
But nobody wants to wait forever
If you say it's too late
It's not too late, it's not too late, whoa
I wanna show you all the things I promised
I wanna give away the things I won't miss
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
I wanna write down all the things you say
I wanna have you in you my life today
I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops
Cause I'm tired of being alone
Right now, it was the words that you were gunning for
All I wanted was to let you know
Just wait a second
And I'll give you what you're waiting for
I'll make a promise and refuse to show (x2)
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van, whoa
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van, whoa
Not too late
Don't have to wait
You want it all
Not too late
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
Don't have to wait
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
You want it all
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know, whoa
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know, whoa
Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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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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I think the relationship has failed and he wishes he could go back and stop it from happening just for her sake, to save her from the unhappiness of the crappy relationship.
Saw them live a couple of days ago, so good. Instantly fell in love with this song.