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.
Twenty-six miles across the sea
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me,
Santa Catalina, the island of romance,
romance, romance, romance.
Water all around it ev'rywhere,
tropical trees and the salty air,
but for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance.
It seems so distant, twenty-six miles away, restin' in the water serene.
I'd work for anyone, even the Navy, who would float me to my island dream.
Twenty-six miles, so near, yet far.
I'd swim with just some water wings and my guitar.
I can leave the wings but I'll need the guitar
for romance, romance, romance, romance.
Twenty-six miles across the sea
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me,
Santa Catalina, the island of romance,
romance, romance, romance.
Water all around it ev'rywhere,
tropical trees and the salty air,
but for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance.
A tropical heaven out in the ocean covered with trees and girls.
If I have to swim I'd do it forever till I'm gazin' on those island pearls.
Forty kilometers in a leaky old boat,
Any old thing that'll stay afloat.
When we arrive we'll all promote romance, romance, romance
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me,
Santa Catalina, the island of romance,
romance, romance, romance.
Water all around it ev'rywhere,
tropical trees and the salty air,
but for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance.
It seems so distant, twenty-six miles away, restin' in the water serene.
I'd work for anyone, even the Navy, who would float me to my island dream.
Twenty-six miles, so near, yet far.
I'd swim with just some water wings and my guitar.
I can leave the wings but I'll need the guitar
for romance, romance, romance, romance.
Twenty-six miles across the sea
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me,
Santa Catalina, the island of romance,
romance, romance, romance.
Water all around it ev'rywhere,
tropical trees and the salty air,
but for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance.
A tropical heaven out in the ocean covered with trees and girls.
If I have to swim I'd do it forever till I'm gazin' on those island pearls.
Forty kilometers in a leaky old boat,
Any old thing that'll stay afloat.
When we arrive we'll all promote romance, romance, romance
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
26 Miles (Santa Catalina) Lyrics as written by Glen Larson Bruce G Belland
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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