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's mosquitoes on the river
Fish are rising up like birds
It's been hot for seven weeks now
Too hot to even speak now
Did you hear what I just heard?
Say it might have been a fiddle
Or it could have been the wind
But there seems to be a beat now
I can feel it in my feet now
Listen here it comes again
There's a band out on the highway
They're high steppin' into town
It's a rainbow full of sound
It's fireworks, calliopes and clowns
Everybody's dancin'
Come on children, come on children
Come on clap your hands
The sun went down in honey
And the moon came up in wine
You know stars were spinnin' dizzy
Lord the band kept us so busy
We forgot about the time
They're a band beyond description
Like Jehovah's favorite choir
People joining hand in hand while
The music played the band
Lord they're setting us on fire
Crazy rooster crowin' midnight
Balls of lightin' roll along
Old men sing about their dreams
Women laugh and children scream
And the band keeps playin' on
Keep on dancin' through the daylight
Greet the mornin' air with song
No ones's noticed, but the band's all pack and gone
Was it ever there at all?
But they keep on dancin'
Come on children, come on children
Come on clap your hands
Well, the cool breeze came on Tuesday
And the corn's a bumper crop
And the fields are full of dancin'
Full of singin' and romancin'
But the music never stopped
Fish are rising up like birds
It's been hot for seven weeks now
Too hot to even speak now
Did you hear what I just heard?
Say it might have been a fiddle
Or it could have been the wind
But there seems to be a beat now
I can feel it in my feet now
Listen here it comes again
There's a band out on the highway
They're high steppin' into town
It's a rainbow full of sound
It's fireworks, calliopes and clowns
Everybody's dancin'
Come on children, come on children
Come on clap your hands
The sun went down in honey
And the moon came up in wine
You know stars were spinnin' dizzy
Lord the band kept us so busy
We forgot about the time
They're a band beyond description
Like Jehovah's favorite choir
People joining hand in hand while
The music played the band
Lord they're setting us on fire
Crazy rooster crowin' midnight
Balls of lightin' roll along
Old men sing about their dreams
Women laugh and children scream
And the band keeps playin' on
Keep on dancin' through the daylight
Greet the mornin' air with song
No ones's noticed, but the band's all pack and gone
Was it ever there at all?
But they keep on dancin'
Come on children, come on children
Come on clap your hands
Well, the cool breeze came on Tuesday
And the corn's a bumper crop
And the fields are full of dancin'
Full of singin' and romancin'
But the music never stopped
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher
The Music Never Stopped (Live at The Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA 8/13/75) Lyrics as written by Robert Hall Weir John Barlow
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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This song is jumpin, gotta love the refrence to Jehovah's favorite choir...This song is most likely referring to the dedication of dead heads across the world, where no matter what the music of the grateful dead will continue on forever through their fans...they come through your city and once you see them once its beyond discription and that one experience will have you hooked and make you never stop playing their music!
mrs godchaux soulfull female voice really adds a lot to this song
yeah one of the few good contributions she gave to the dead.<br /> <br /> actually she wasnt as terrible as I thought she would be when I saw her with DSO at gathering of the vibes this past summer.<br /> <br /> Really awesome song. The sax is great and Phil bumpin along on that bassline. Beautiful
i love the bass line in the beginning.
i love the saxophone parts.