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.
From your head grew two braids,
Gold and long,
Golden long hair, golden long hair.
One braid on one side of your face hung
Cabled and calm.
It seemed to say, as it swayed
that it hung there hoping to charm me
(Or somebody)
"Can you imagine me in your bed at dawn?"
Said your long hair, said your long hair.
"or kids with my face, can you see them?
Tiny and blonde!"
The other braid on the other side of your face was lost
In the folds of your clothing, having stayed there this morning
When you got up and put your clothes on.
It seemed to say as it lay down your shoulder blade
"Leave me alone! Can't you let me be tucked in then go?
Why do you gawk there with the prying long stare?
I know you think I could make you happy
If you could just stroke golden long hair.
But you're wrong there!"
So your two blonde braids sang me this song and, in between them, your
face sang along, saying:
"Calm yourself down, Phil, be calm.
You'll find that the beautiful long braids that you fawn over aching to
own,
Do in fact sway for you, though not you alone.
There is also that gold in your palm, on your shoulder, and everywhere,
where it belongs.
So don't try to say 'Spring is my own private dawn!'
because us braids and cute faces make moms
and more laughing and licking and kids and their mouths
all living their lives in the throng."
Gold and long,
Golden long hair, golden long hair.
One braid on one side of your face hung
Cabled and calm.
It seemed to say, as it swayed
that it hung there hoping to charm me
(Or somebody)
"Can you imagine me in your bed at dawn?"
Said your long hair, said your long hair.
"or kids with my face, can you see them?
Tiny and blonde!"
The other braid on the other side of your face was lost
In the folds of your clothing, having stayed there this morning
When you got up and put your clothes on.
It seemed to say as it lay down your shoulder blade
"Leave me alone! Can't you let me be tucked in then go?
Why do you gawk there with the prying long stare?
I know you think I could make you happy
If you could just stroke golden long hair.
But you're wrong there!"
So your two blonde braids sang me this song and, in between them, your
face sang along, saying:
"Calm yourself down, Phil, be calm.
You'll find that the beautiful long braids that you fawn over aching to
own,
Do in fact sway for you, though not you alone.
There is also that gold in your palm, on your shoulder, and everywhere,
where it belongs.
So don't try to say 'Spring is my own private dawn!'
because us braids and cute faces make moms
and more laughing and licking and kids and their mouths
all living their lives in the throng."
Lyrics submitted by shakuhachi
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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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