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.
Well I asked her while she cried what she was doin with her life
She said I could marry a sailor I think that I'd make a good wife
But he would leave for months at sea leaving only the baby and me
And I do not think that I could stay faithful
And I could leave this town for good bringing only some photos and a book
But I'm pretty sure my legs would grow weary
And then she asked how bout me
I said, well, darlin' let me see
I hear wedding bells and see kisses from lovers
Those lovers or so it seems they appear to be you and me
But I could be wrong cause my mind is awful lazy
Now I'm seein something else and it's me all by myself
And I appear to be older and I'm awful lonely
And as I cry I ask God, 'Why? How could you let my poor wife die?'
And I told her not cry to wipe her eyes
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
She said I could marry a sailor I think that I'd make a good wife
But he would leave for months at sea leaving only the baby and me
And I do not think that I could stay faithful
And I could leave this town for good bringing only some photos and a book
But I'm pretty sure my legs would grow weary
And then she asked how bout me
I said, well, darlin' let me see
I hear wedding bells and see kisses from lovers
Those lovers or so it seems they appear to be you and me
But I could be wrong cause my mind is awful lazy
Now I'm seein something else and it's me all by myself
And I appear to be older and I'm awful lonely
And as I cry I ask God, 'Why? How could you let my poor wife die?'
And I told her not cry to wipe her eyes
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
Well, if love is all you had
Well, then baby, that's not bad
And if love is all you got
Then that's a hell of a lot
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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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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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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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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
This is such a pretty song. Does anyone know who the female vocalist is?
Alva Leigh Peden