Both as a standalone and as part of the DSOTS album, you can take this lyric as read. As a matter of public record, Jourgensen's drug intake was legendary even in the 1980s. By the late 90s, in his own words, he was grappling with massive addiction issues and had lost almost everything: friends, spouse, money and had nearly died more than once. "Dark Side of the Spoon" is a both funny & sad title for an album made by a musical genius who was losing the plot; and this song is a message to his fans & friends saying he knows it. It's painful to listen to so I'm glad the "Keith Richards of industrial metals" wised up and cleaned up. Well done sir.
I'm collecting people's tears
They cried because they miss you
They filled the seas and all the lakes
With memories the wind blew
I'd run out of jars
Before a second could pass
Didn't have enough time with you
To turn the hourglass
Pictures in my head, suddenly appear
Why'd you have to go away
It's all not very clear
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
When I close my eyes I see you
The dimples in your cheeks
I forgot to thank you for things
Cos I hadn't seen you in weeks
Woke up this morning
And hoped for a dream
But reality sat next to me
And forced me to believe
Knocked down too soon
Like a skittle on the lanes
The man took the wrong stop
From life's fast moving train
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
Funeral flowers, won't make me believe
They can carry out your casket
And I'll still expected see, you, you
Come round tomorrow
And tell me all your news
I don't ask for much from you
Sleep to my lullaby
Only give me one more chance
To say my last goodbye
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
They cried because they miss you
They filled the seas and all the lakes
With memories the wind blew
I'd run out of jars
Before a second could pass
Didn't have enough time with you
To turn the hourglass
Pictures in my head, suddenly appear
Why'd you have to go away
It's all not very clear
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
When I close my eyes I see you
The dimples in your cheeks
I forgot to thank you for things
Cos I hadn't seen you in weeks
Woke up this morning
And hoped for a dream
But reality sat next to me
And forced me to believe
Knocked down too soon
Like a skittle on the lanes
The man took the wrong stop
From life's fast moving train
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
Funeral flowers, won't make me believe
They can carry out your casket
And I'll still expected see, you, you
Come round tomorrow
And tell me all your news
I don't ask for much from you
Sleep to my lullaby
Only give me one more chance
To say my last goodbye
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
Goodbye sweet angel
Sail away on teary seas
Tattooed the times we had, on my memory
My legs are weak
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Step
Ministry
Ministry
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
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.
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Such a emotional song! It's obviously about how hard it is when someone leaves. He either went or died, I'm not sure.