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.
If I get murdered in the city
Don't go revengin in my name
One person dead from such is plenty
No need to go get locked away
When I leave your arms
The things that I think of
No need to get over long
I'm comin' home
I wonder which brother is better
Which one our parents love the most
I sure did get in lots of trouble
They seem to let the other go
A tear fell from my father's eyes
I wondered what my dad would say
He said I love you and I'm proud of you both
in so many different ways
If I get murdered in the city
Go read the letter in my desk
Don't worry with all my belongings
But pay attention to the list
Make sure my sister knows I loved her
Make sure my mother knows the same
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name
Don't go revengin in my name
One person dead from such is plenty
No need to go get locked away
When I leave your arms
The things that I think of
No need to get over long
I'm comin' home
I wonder which brother is better
Which one our parents love the most
I sure did get in lots of trouble
They seem to let the other go
A tear fell from my father's eyes
I wondered what my dad would say
He said I love you and I'm proud of you both
in so many different ways
If I get murdered in the city
Go read the letter in my desk
Don't worry with all my belongings
But pay attention to the list
Make sure my sister knows I loved her
Make sure my mother knows the same
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name
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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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"Always remember there was nothing worth sharing Like the love that let us share our name"
The first time I heard that line I fell in love with it. It's just a stunning little piece of poetry.
Yeah that line can knock you back a few feet.
Agreed. I was driving to this song one day and that line came and stuck out to me, I had to rewind it a couple times to truly let that sink it. That...that was deep and so gorgeous.
@hydraulic_heart Same. Made me wanna go call my brother and sister.
Beautiful song about family relationships. Although, it also came to mind when I was writing a paper about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam the other day. Apparently, Muslims refer to all three religions as "Islam," not because they want to subsume the others but because the word is literally translated as "submission"--meaning submission to God; thus, all three Abrahamic religions are united in monotheistic faith and submission to the God of Abraham.
I doubt the Avett brothers wrote "Murder in the City" with this in mind, but the song has really interesting implications for talking about interreligious dialogue between these three faiths.
"I wonder which brother is better/ which one our parents love the most/ I sure did get in lots of trouble/ they seemed to let the other go/ a tear fell from my father's eye/ I wondered what my dad would say/ he said I love you and I'm proud of you both in so many different ways."
"Always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name."
What if we looked past offense at doctrine and ideologies and sought to love each other like family?
It's all about family, and the one has for one's family. Simple, and sweet. Perfect.
Cried when I first heard it and get teary-eyed every time after, makes me value my family so much more. Absolutely beautiful.
i love the avett brothers, as a gay, i am fascinated with murder in the city and the actual use of the fa**ot term. love the avetts they must be phenom in person.
"there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name..." What i love most about the Avett Bros.... is that they put into song the things we mean and want to say but just dont know how to put our thoughts into words...
Agreed. They make music that is so goddamn beautiful its ridiculous. The fact that The Second Gleam is maybe their best release yet makes me optimistic for the future.
wow thats sad :'( tear tear this would make a good movie like strech it out far out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
its refereshing to hear music uncomprimised by record labels. i hope that never changes "we came to leave behind the world a better way!" - salvation song. if you see one band live, see the avett brothers!!!!
beautiful.