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.
Kiss all your saviors goodbye
Offer them up to the dead
No kidding you know who's right
And whose got a price on their head
No doubt I'd sell you all out
For a pocket full of silver and gold
Way back when, when they made me one of them
Don't you know they're gonna' save my soul
I can't hang around with you like this my friend
Our time has come to an end
I can't play around with you no more
No, I'm seeing this open door
And I know you saw right through me
Afraid I'm taking you for a ride
But when you're dead you're dead
When you're gone you're gone
I got my conscience at both of my sides
I set out to disappear
And out there I found a new home
But listen Jack, you're on the wrong side of the tracks
At least now I don't have to walk it all alone
Can you hear the sound of the crawling flesh?
Now can you smell the burning desire?
This place is too small to hide
All the ghosts that's kicking around inside
What this town was entirely built upon
You can find it right between the eyes
Its a bullet hole that'll steal your soul
And roll you for your money and your diamonds
Offer them up to the dead
No kidding you know who's right
And whose got a price on their head
No doubt I'd sell you all out
For a pocket full of silver and gold
Way back when, when they made me one of them
Don't you know they're gonna' save my soul
I can't hang around with you like this my friend
Our time has come to an end
I can't play around with you no more
No, I'm seeing this open door
And I know you saw right through me
Afraid I'm taking you for a ride
But when you're dead you're dead
When you're gone you're gone
I got my conscience at both of my sides
I set out to disappear
And out there I found a new home
But listen Jack, you're on the wrong side of the tracks
At least now I don't have to walk it all alone
Can you hear the sound of the crawling flesh?
Now can you smell the burning desire?
This place is too small to hide
All the ghosts that's kicking around inside
What this town was entirely built upon
You can find it right between the eyes
Its a bullet hole that'll steal your soul
And roll you for your money and your diamonds
Lyrics submitted by the_internet
Baltimore Blues No. 1 Lyrics as written by John Joseph Mccauley Iii
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Why has no one said anything about this wonderful piece of work? What a great song.
Tickheads forever.
Love this band's music. I've still haven't seen them live, but I'm amazed they didn't get bigger. I wish someone would break down the song meaning, my life currently does not allow time to really "listen" to music like I used to. I love this site, when a song really hits me in the heart or guts, I can just look up the meaning. This is one of those songs, but I guess it's not well known enough for analysis?
this song..... <3
Awesome song. Awesome band.
This is the song that first got me into deertick. I'm kind of wondering why they called this song Baltimore blues #1 and what the story behind that is. I live in Baltimore and I can understand the song, but really it could be about any town that someone is feeling trapped in. So why Baltimore?
@societiespliers Maybe they were watching The Wire and singing from the POV of one of the characters. (I live in Baltimore too.)
there is so much soul in this one song