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.
All I have are the way things go
Well I don't know
I just don't know
Make up some simple lies
And compromise
How I live
[Chorus]
Cuz' either way I'll break your heart someday
But leaving you is the last thing on my mind
So when I call
Baby kiss me slow so I don't forget my way back home
When its cold
Sail away
On a wayward ship
With candy lips in my grip
Cheap perfume
Oh it never lies
It can't surprise
Any good advice
[Chorus]
Well I miss you in the winter
Your friends say I should listen
Can't you see I've loved you all along
Well if America don't like me
You can say I finally
The kind of man who only likes the gun
Shoot anyone, shoot anyone
[Chorus]
Well I don't know
I just don't know
Make up some simple lies
And compromise
How I live
[Chorus]
Cuz' either way I'll break your heart someday
But leaving you is the last thing on my mind
So when I call
Baby kiss me slow so I don't forget my way back home
When its cold
Sail away
On a wayward ship
With candy lips in my grip
Cheap perfume
Oh it never lies
It can't surprise
Any good advice
[Chorus]
Well I miss you in the winter
Your friends say I should listen
Can't you see I've loved you all along
Well if America don't like me
You can say I finally
The kind of man who only likes the gun
Shoot anyone, shoot anyone
[Chorus]
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@[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.
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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 think that this song is about a relationship between two people who shouldn't be together. One that everyone knows is not going to work out from the very beginning. He knows he will break her heart someday. But that doesn't mean he doesn't love her or leaving her isn't the last thing on his mind.
It seems like most of the other comments are about a new relationship and knowing whether or not it will work out. But I guess I hear it as a more complicated relationship...The terms like "wayward ship," "cheap perfume,oh, it never lies and can't supply any good alibis," "compromise how i live," and everything about going home make me wonder if this is about falling in love and pursing a relationship outside of your primary relationship. I guess I feel like its saying i know this will end and we will be heart broken, but lets enjoy it while we still can (so when i go, kiss real slow).