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.
My mama done tol' me, when I was in knee-pants
My mama done tol' me, "Son a woman'll sweet talk"
And give you the big eye, but when the sweet talkin's done
A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave you to sing
The blues in the night
Now the rain's a-fallin', hear the train's a-callin, "whooee!"
My mama done tol' me, hear that lonesome whistle
Blowin' 'cross the trestle, "whooee!"
(My mama done tol' me a-whooee-ah-whooee
Ol' clickety-clack's a-echoin' back
The blues in the night
The evenin' breeze will start the trees to cryin'
And the moon will hide its light
When you get the blues in the night
And take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind o' song
He knows things are wrong, and he's so right
From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds they might blow
I been in some big towns an' heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night
Mmm ooh ooh ooh my mama was right, there's blues in the night
My mama done tol' me, "Son a woman'll sweet talk"
And give you the big eye, but when the sweet talkin's done
A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave you to sing
The blues in the night
Now the rain's a-fallin', hear the train's a-callin, "whooee!"
My mama done tol' me, hear that lonesome whistle
Blowin' 'cross the trestle, "whooee!"
(My mama done tol' me a-whooee-ah-whooee
Ol' clickety-clack's a-echoin' back
The blues in the night
The evenin' breeze will start the trees to cryin'
And the moon will hide its light
When you get the blues in the night
And take my word, the mockingbird'll sing the saddest kind o' song
He knows things are wrong, and he's so right
From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe
Wherever the four winds they might blow
I been in some big towns an' heard me some big talk
But there is one thing I know
A woman's a two-face, a worrisome thing who'll leave ya to sing the blues in the night
Mmm ooh ooh ooh my mama was right, there's blues in the night
Lyrics submitted by azkm
Blues In The Night Lyrics as written by Johnny Mercer Harold Arlen
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.