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.
Letting go of highest wings
Bring me back a shade of green
It sings a song, a song in key
With the sound of the sea
Coming home
Marianne, I'm ready to begin
Making my way back to the end
Don't believe you're alone in between
The weight of the world
And doubting of worth without me
I watched the moon peeking through
Are you there watching the same moon too
Taking down the finest wine
From the shores of Barcelona
Where I saw, I saw a man
With a bird in his hand
Was it you
Marianne, I'm ready to begin
Making my way back to the end
Don't believe you're alone in between
The weight of the world
And doubting of worth without me
Tonight, sleep alone for the last time
Peering through the greyest light
Weakened knees for seat and kneel
Show me how, how to feel
What is home, what is real
Is it you
Marianne, Marianne
Marianne, Marianne
Bring me back a shade of green
It sings a song, a song in key
With the sound of the sea
Coming home
Marianne, I'm ready to begin
Making my way back to the end
Don't believe you're alone in between
The weight of the world
And doubting of worth without me
I watched the moon peeking through
Are you there watching the same moon too
Taking down the finest wine
From the shores of Barcelona
Where I saw, I saw a man
With a bird in his hand
Was it you
Marianne, I'm ready to begin
Making my way back to the end
Don't believe you're alone in between
The weight of the world
And doubting of worth without me
Tonight, sleep alone for the last time
Peering through the greyest light
Weakened knees for seat and kneel
Show me how, how to feel
What is home, what is real
Is it you
Marianne, Marianne
Marianne, Marianne
Lyrics submitted by eltroyo11
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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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