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.
Would I falter your happiness?
Said the darkness to the light
I could be much more than mistress
Said the sunlight to the night
This is not for the happiness
Much more likely for the frail
This one’s for my drunken pirates
Sailing oceans and drinking ale
Casa Del, Disco
And it sails out to the sea
And brings along the waves
And the sound of light to me
Said it brings along the waves
And the sound of light to me
What a sound rings from the trees
What life blows through your hair?
What type of dreams do you dream?
Do you side with truth or dare?
If you placed peace on a plateau
Would your scales tip black or white?
And if they threw you a lions claw
Would you run?
Or stay to fight?
Casa Del
Disco
What a sound rings from the trees
And you can feel the touch of stillness
Explain to the birds and bees
You can feel the touch of stillness
Explain truth to the birds and bees
And one day
The skies will grow colder
And if you leave me
My bones will grow older
Said the darkness to the light
I could be much more than mistress
Said the sunlight to the night
This is not for the happiness
Much more likely for the frail
This one’s for my drunken pirates
Sailing oceans and drinking ale
Casa Del, Disco
And it sails out to the sea
And brings along the waves
And the sound of light to me
Said it brings along the waves
And the sound of light to me
What a sound rings from the trees
What life blows through your hair?
What type of dreams do you dream?
Do you side with truth or dare?
If you placed peace on a plateau
Would your scales tip black or white?
And if they threw you a lions claw
Would you run?
Or stay to fight?
Casa Del
Disco
What a sound rings from the trees
And you can feel the touch of stillness
Explain to the birds and bees
You can feel the touch of stillness
Explain truth to the birds and bees
And one day
The skies will grow colder
And if you leave me
My bones will grow older
Lyrics submitted by olympicayres
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Great version of a great song,
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