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 mercury's in retrograde
My mercury's in retrograde
My mercury's in retrograde
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, Mercury's in, Mercury's
In retrograde
This is not the time, the time to start a new love
This is not the time, the time to sign a lease
Try not to worry about what's forgotten
Try not to worry about what's been missed
Scars on shins and scars on my knuckles
Today I woke up in a basketball court
Jonjo's in Sydney and he ain't returning
I'm sitting in Soho trying to stay drunk
In any bar in the world
From Silverlake to Williamsburg
You could pick another stranger
And fall in love
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
This is not the time, the tie to start a new love
This is not the time, the time to sign a lease
Try not to worry about what's forgotten
Try not to worry about what's been missed
Bleeding gums and veins protruding
You're starting to hate all of your clothes
Neumayr's in LA and she ain't returning
I'm sleeping with people I don't even like
In any bar in the world
From Silverlake to Williamsburg
You could pick another stranger
And fall in love
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
Mercyry's in, mercury's in retrograde
When I saw you last night
I wanted to say, run away with me
Away from these cynics
That this could be the start of
Something truly real
But all that I could say was "hey"
Was hey
Was hey
Was hey
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
Mercyry's in, mercury's in retrograde
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
Mercyry's in, mercury's in retrograde.
My mercury's in retrograde
My mercury's in retrograde
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, Mercury's in, Mercury's
In retrograde
This is not the time, the time to start a new love
This is not the time, the time to sign a lease
Try not to worry about what's forgotten
Try not to worry about what's been missed
Scars on shins and scars on my knuckles
Today I woke up in a basketball court
Jonjo's in Sydney and he ain't returning
I'm sitting in Soho trying to stay drunk
In any bar in the world
From Silverlake to Williamsburg
You could pick another stranger
And fall in love
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
This is not the time, the tie to start a new love
This is not the time, the time to sign a lease
Try not to worry about what's forgotten
Try not to worry about what's been missed
Bleeding gums and veins protruding
You're starting to hate all of your clothes
Neumayr's in LA and she ain't returning
I'm sleeping with people I don't even like
In any bar in the world
From Silverlake to Williamsburg
You could pick another stranger
And fall in love
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
Mercyry's in, mercury's in retrograde
When I saw you last night
I wanted to say, run away with me
Away from these cynics
That this could be the start of
Something truly real
But all that I could say was "hey"
Was hey
Was hey
Was hey
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
Mercyry's in, mercury's in retrograde
My mercury's in retrograde
Mercury's in, mercury's in retrograde
Mercyry's in, mercury's in retrograde.
Lyrics submitted by true.love.way
Mercury Lyrics as written by Kele Okereke Gordon Moakes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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@[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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Wow i love this new song. I hope they perform it in Philadelphia next month. God i don't know... This one kinda follows along the lines of a political song. Can't tell what the illusion is.