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.
Sidney Wells he drove the country North to South
On the walkie-talkie, shooting off his mouth
All the lorry drivers thought he was a laugh
They didn't know the truth, they didn't know the half
Sidney Wells he had a lovely line in chat
Before a girl could think he'd have her at his flat
Dansette playing soft, a gin'll do no harm
No one could resist Sidney Wells' charm
Cheryl was a waitress at the works canteen
Older than she looked, she'd pass for 17
Too pretty to be working such a lousy job
Beauty queen smile, hair cut in a bob
Sidney Wells' rig came weaving down the road
At Hennessy and Sons he dropped his heavy load
Cheryl checked her makeup, looked up at the clock
She had a date with Sidney at the loading dock
He led her to the woods, the sky was getting dark
She thought it was romantic, thought it was a lark
Buried in her mind there rang a small alarm
But no one could resist Sidney Wells' charm
Then he took off her clothes and threw them in a pile
He watched her stand there cold and shivering for a while
Then he picked up her stocking lying on the floor
And wrapped it round her neck until she breathed no more
He tried to burn the body, he didn't do it well
Up on a pile of tires, it was an awful smell
They found her poor remains and summoned the bereft
And took her to the church to bury what was left
Now Sidney Wells he was a heartless kind of rake
The blood within his veins was colder than a snake
He didn't run, he carried on just like before
Until the CID came knocking at the door
The judge said, Mr Wells, the evidence is strong
Said Wells, "I'll not deny, what took you all so long?
All you see is victims, all I see is brides
I'm guilty to the gills, and 7 more besides."
They took him to the jail, ready for the worst
Justice would be served, but who would get there first?
He bled just like a pig slaughtered on the farm
The inmates weren't impressed by Sidney Wells' charm
On the walkie-talkie, shooting off his mouth
All the lorry drivers thought he was a laugh
They didn't know the truth, they didn't know the half
Sidney Wells he had a lovely line in chat
Before a girl could think he'd have her at his flat
Dansette playing soft, a gin'll do no harm
No one could resist Sidney Wells' charm
Cheryl was a waitress at the works canteen
Older than she looked, she'd pass for 17
Too pretty to be working such a lousy job
Beauty queen smile, hair cut in a bob
Sidney Wells' rig came weaving down the road
At Hennessy and Sons he dropped his heavy load
Cheryl checked her makeup, looked up at the clock
She had a date with Sidney at the loading dock
He led her to the woods, the sky was getting dark
She thought it was romantic, thought it was a lark
Buried in her mind there rang a small alarm
But no one could resist Sidney Wells' charm
Then he took off her clothes and threw them in a pile
He watched her stand there cold and shivering for a while
Then he picked up her stocking lying on the floor
And wrapped it round her neck until she breathed no more
He tried to burn the body, he didn't do it well
Up on a pile of tires, it was an awful smell
They found her poor remains and summoned the bereft
And took her to the church to bury what was left
Now Sidney Wells he was a heartless kind of rake
The blood within his veins was colder than a snake
He didn't run, he carried on just like before
Until the CID came knocking at the door
The judge said, Mr Wells, the evidence is strong
Said Wells, "I'll not deny, what took you all so long?
All you see is victims, all I see is brides
I'm guilty to the gills, and 7 more besides."
They took him to the jail, ready for the worst
Justice would be served, but who would get there first?
He bled just like a pig slaughtered on the farm
The inmates weren't impressed by Sidney Wells' charm
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Sidney Wells Lyrics as written by Richard Thompson
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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