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.
there she is
walking up my way
he stops dead in the rain
with that smile she waves
is it me your waving for
come closer now
can I get your name
if it's all the same
can I walk you home
if it's home your ready for
because you know I
I've never seen a girl like you
but I swear if you give me
if you give me one chance now
with my heart racin
I don't need a reason
for now I hope she's down for a night on the town
I've got this story on my mind if it just plays out tonight
well we're here
I guess this is goodbye
unless your up for the night
can I call you sometime
can I hope for something more
because you know I
I've never seen a girl like you
but I swear if you give me
if you give me one chance now
with my heart racin
I don't need a reason
for now I hope she's down for a night on the town
I've got this story on my mind if it just plays out tonight
with my heart racin
I just found a reason
cause baby sink or swim
a little over my head
this could be effortless
if you take my hand tonight
if you take my hand tonight
if you take my hand
I was hoping you could be mine
oh I was hoping you could be mine
well take your time
and baby I was hoping this could be right
oh I was hoping baby this could be right
oh I was hoping you could be mine
oh I was hoping you could be mine
well take your time
and baby I was hoping this could be right
oh I was hoping baby this could be right
oh this could be right
with my heart racin
I don't need a reason
for now I hope she's down for a night on the town
I've got this story on my mind if it just plays out tonight
with my heart racin
I just found a reason
cause baby sink or swim
a little over my head
this could be effortless
if you take my hand tonight
this could be effortless
take my hand
this could be effortless
take my hand
walking up my way
he stops dead in the rain
with that smile she waves
is it me your waving for
come closer now
can I get your name
if it's all the same
can I walk you home
if it's home your ready for
because you know I
I've never seen a girl like you
but I swear if you give me
if you give me one chance now
with my heart racin
I don't need a reason
for now I hope she's down for a night on the town
I've got this story on my mind if it just plays out tonight
well we're here
I guess this is goodbye
unless your up for the night
can I call you sometime
can I hope for something more
because you know I
I've never seen a girl like you
but I swear if you give me
if you give me one chance now
with my heart racin
I don't need a reason
for now I hope she's down for a night on the town
I've got this story on my mind if it just plays out tonight
with my heart racin
I just found a reason
cause baby sink or swim
a little over my head
this could be effortless
if you take my hand tonight
if you take my hand tonight
if you take my hand
I was hoping you could be mine
oh I was hoping you could be mine
well take your time
and baby I was hoping this could be right
oh I was hoping baby this could be right
oh I was hoping you could be mine
oh I was hoping you could be mine
well take your time
and baby I was hoping this could be right
oh I was hoping baby this could be right
oh this could be right
with my heart racin
I don't need a reason
for now I hope she's down for a night on the town
I've got this story on my mind if it just plays out tonight
with my heart racin
I just found a reason
cause baby sink or swim
a little over my head
this could be effortless
if you take my hand tonight
this could be effortless
take my hand
this could be effortless
take my hand
Lyrics submitted by jdj5211
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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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