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.
This is the house we used to live in
This is the place I used to know
This is the house we used to live in
Where I felt I could always go
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
This is the house we used to live in
This is the place that I once knew
This is the house we used to live in
Where I once shared my life with you
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
A house is not a home
And when you live alone you'll find
That it's much harder than
So much harder to believe
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
Our house was not a home
And we both felt alone it seems
It is empty now
Worn and broken like our dreams
This is the house we used to live in
This is a place in our green town
This is the house we used to live in
One look before they tear it down
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
Falling apart
House we used, used to live in
This is the place I used to know
This is the house we used to live in
Where I felt I could always go
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
This is the house we used to live in
This is the place that I once knew
This is the house we used to live in
Where I once shared my life with you
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
A house is not a home
And when you live alone you'll find
That it's much harder than
So much harder to believe
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
Our house was not a home
And we both felt alone it seems
It is empty now
Worn and broken like our dreams
This is the house we used to live in
This is a place in our green town
This is the house we used to live in
One look before they tear it down
House that we used to live in
House where I left my heart
House that we used to live in falling apart
Falling apart
House we used, used to live in
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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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