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.
I found this photograph
Underneath the broken picture glass
Tender face of black and white
Beautiful, a haunting sight
Looked into an angel's smile
Captivated all the while
From the hair and clothes she wore
I'd place her in between the wars
Was she willing when she sat
And posed the pretty photograph?
Save her flowering and fair
The days to come, the days to share
A big smile for the camera
How did she know?
The moment could be lost forever (forever)
Forever more
I found this photograph (photograph)
Stashed between the old joist walls
In a place where time is lost
Lost behind, where all things fall
Broken books and calendars
Letters script in careful hand
Music, too, a standard tune by
Some forgotten big brass band
From the threshold what's to see
Of our brave new century?
The television's just a dream
The radio, the silver screen
A big smile for the camera
How did she know?
The moment could be lost forever (forever)
Forever more
Was her childhood filled with rhymes
Stolen hooks, impassioned crimes?
Was she innocent or blind
To the cruelty of her time?
Was she fearful in her day
Was she hopeful, did she pray?
Were there skeletons inside
Family secrets, sworn to hide?
Did she feel the heat that stirs
The fall from grace of wayward girls?
Was she tempted to pretend
The love and laughter, 'til the end?
Underneath the broken picture glass
Tender face of black and white
Beautiful, a haunting sight
Looked into an angel's smile
Captivated all the while
From the hair and clothes she wore
I'd place her in between the wars
Was she willing when she sat
And posed the pretty photograph?
Save her flowering and fair
The days to come, the days to share
A big smile for the camera
How did she know?
The moment could be lost forever (forever)
Forever more
I found this photograph (photograph)
Stashed between the old joist walls
In a place where time is lost
Lost behind, where all things fall
Broken books and calendars
Letters script in careful hand
Music, too, a standard tune by
Some forgotten big brass band
From the threshold what's to see
Of our brave new century?
The television's just a dream
The radio, the silver screen
A big smile for the camera
How did she know?
The moment could be lost forever (forever)
Forever more
Was her childhood filled with rhymes
Stolen hooks, impassioned crimes?
Was she innocent or blind
To the cruelty of her time?
Was she fearful in her day
Was she hopeful, did she pray?
Were there skeletons inside
Family secrets, sworn to hide?
Did she feel the heat that stirs
The fall from grace of wayward girls?
Was she tempted to pretend
The love and laughter, 'til the end?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Photograph Lyrics as written by Peter Lawrence Buck William Thomas Berry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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