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.
Okay go, go hang your heart on any tree
You can make yourself available to anybody
'Cause every livin' person knows you are a prize
Whichever way you go I'll be easy to find
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, be honest
Think of this song as a promise you can do what you want
If you decide you wanna move into a new stage
Deleting me from pages in your mission statement
My love is unconditional, make no mistake
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
Who we are when love is what it wants to be
We are free, and we are having the best day ever by far
Being treated to the light like a superstar
I can hold space while you see what your heart has to say about me
There's no dotted line to sign away your freedom
I'll acknowledge you for what you do to keep strong
I'll always get behind you, don't get me wrong
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
Who we are when love is what it wants to be
We are free and, we are having the best day ever by far
Yes we are
You can make yourself available to anybody
'Cause every livin' person knows you are a prize
Whichever way you go I'll be easy to find
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, be honest
Think of this song as a promise you can do what you want
If you decide you wanna move into a new stage
Deleting me from pages in your mission statement
My love is unconditional, make no mistake
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
Who we are when love is what it wants to be
We are free, and we are having the best day ever by far
Being treated to the light like a superstar
I can hold space while you see what your heart has to say about me
There's no dotted line to sign away your freedom
I'll acknowledge you for what you do to keep strong
I'll always get behind you, don't get me wrong
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
I don't ask for much, just be honest with me
Who we are when love is what it wants to be
We are free and, we are having the best day ever by far
Yes we are
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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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sometimes when we r into someone, but we can feel that person is still 50/50 n make u think whether he really wants 2 b with us or not..and all we wanna hear is just 4 them 2 b honest n dont waste our time.. this song currently is my theme song.. :)
I think this song is kind of hypocritical. It's saying 2 things. One is that no matter what, you know in your heart that you will care about this person forever. It's something that is uncontrollable and it's just the truth. Hence my love is unconditional and the no commitment necessary aspect of it. Like we should both be free kind of a message.
But then the other side of the song is saying be honest, meaning what am I to you? Even though commitment isn't absolutely necessary, the person still wants to know where they stand.
So its kind of like take your time and figure out what i mean to you, and know that I will love you regardless, but eventually, let me know. That's why I feel like its a double meaning situation.