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.
Thought I was laying in the gutter in
Milk cartons and bones
But I was standing on a mountain top
Looking over your homes
Thought I was laying in my garden with
My hands deep in soil
But I was there on an island
Shooting flares at you both
Thought I was soothing like a violin
Confessing new rain
But I was piping like a trumpet
Frantic but faint
Thought I was built like a building's built
On concrete and stone
I realized I'm just a hack actor
Finished playing my role
You're reading my thoughts
Dreams old men dreams
It's just like when we were kids
We'd lay around wondering
We try to listen to what they said
Thought I was writing for a hundred hours
Looking straight into me
But I was reading on the newspaper obituary
Thought I was nervous like mail man
Reading your letters dear
But I was at our anniversary
Toasting thirty years
You're reading my thoughts
Dreams old men dream
It's just like when we were kids
We'd lay around wondering
We try to listen to what they say x2
Push my piano outside
I don't care x2
Meet the media black sky
I don't care x2
The neighbors will complain
Let them stare x2
Who knows where the time goes
I don't care x2
What would you think of me if I told you
I haven't slept in weeks
I've been up chasing my childhood with a pen
These are dreams old men dream
Milk cartons and bones
But I was standing on a mountain top
Looking over your homes
Thought I was laying in my garden with
My hands deep in soil
But I was there on an island
Shooting flares at you both
Thought I was soothing like a violin
Confessing new rain
But I was piping like a trumpet
Frantic but faint
Thought I was built like a building's built
On concrete and stone
I realized I'm just a hack actor
Finished playing my role
You're reading my thoughts
Dreams old men dreams
It's just like when we were kids
We'd lay around wondering
We try to listen to what they said
Thought I was writing for a hundred hours
Looking straight into me
But I was reading on the newspaper obituary
Thought I was nervous like mail man
Reading your letters dear
But I was at our anniversary
Toasting thirty years
You're reading my thoughts
Dreams old men dream
It's just like when we were kids
We'd lay around wondering
We try to listen to what they say x2
Push my piano outside
I don't care x2
Meet the media black sky
I don't care x2
The neighbors will complain
Let them stare x2
Who knows where the time goes
I don't care x2
What would you think of me if I told you
I haven't slept in weeks
I've been up chasing my childhood with a pen
These are dreams old men dream
Lyrics submitted by Spudkayaks
Dreams Old Men Dream Lyrics as written by Matthew Aveiro Jonathan Russell
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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Great version of a great song,
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When I first heard this song, I wondered what it was about. Dreams old men dream, WHAT THE does that mean haha. After listening through a couple times, the core message that I gathered up from it was pretty much along the same lines as what @Sunshineshine said. I really like this song. Cold War Kids, cut it out. Such a rad band, hey! Oh, also, I found this bible verse that could have been a bit of inspiration for this song aswell ..
"..... Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions..." Joel 2.28