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.
Did you sleep last night and do you remember dreams?
Do I ever cross your mind and do you ever think of me?
When you think about your life are there things you would reverse?
I still remember holding you, just out of sight of her
In the deep, dark parking lot pressed up against my car
With your hands around my neck I felt the pounding of your heart
And the summer night was giving in to the lure of Autumn's sway
I can't seem to forget that night or how I heard you say
That I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Oh and I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Would you miss me if I was gone and all the simple things were lost?
Would you ever wait on me to say
Oh that I'd just die if you ever took your love away
And I can still recall the hour when you first let down your walls
I thought I might've died right there floating up above it all
But it scared you love, to need someone, so you killed it all instead
But in the mist up on Mulholland, I could've sworn I heard you say
That I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Oh and I would just die if you ever took your love away
Did you miss me when I was gone and the simple things we lost?
I was aching to hear you say
Oh that I'd just die if you ever took your love away
That I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Yes and I would just die if you ever took your love away
Did you miss me when I was gone and the simple things we lost?
I was aching to hear you say
Oh that I'd just die if you ever took your love away
And did you miss me when I'm gone?
And the simple things we used to rely on?
Who came to wipe your tears away?
Who came to bring back your dignity baby?
And who came to drive you around this town
Like I used to drive you all around with the radio on
Through the mist on Mulholland, through the mist on Mulholland, through the mist on Mulholland
Do I ever cross your mind and do you ever think of me?
When you think about your life are there things you would reverse?
I still remember holding you, just out of sight of her
In the deep, dark parking lot pressed up against my car
With your hands around my neck I felt the pounding of your heart
And the summer night was giving in to the lure of Autumn's sway
I can't seem to forget that night or how I heard you say
That I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Oh and I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Would you miss me if I was gone and all the simple things were lost?
Would you ever wait on me to say
Oh that I'd just die if you ever took your love away
And I can still recall the hour when you first let down your walls
I thought I might've died right there floating up above it all
But it scared you love, to need someone, so you killed it all instead
But in the mist up on Mulholland, I could've sworn I heard you say
That I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Oh and I would just die if you ever took your love away
Did you miss me when I was gone and the simple things we lost?
I was aching to hear you say
Oh that I'd just die if you ever took your love away
That I'd just die if you ever took your love away
Yes and I would just die if you ever took your love away
Did you miss me when I was gone and the simple things we lost?
I was aching to hear you say
Oh that I'd just die if you ever took your love away
And did you miss me when I'm gone?
And the simple things we used to rely on?
Who came to wipe your tears away?
Who came to bring back your dignity baby?
And who came to drive you around this town
Like I used to drive you all around with the radio on
Through the mist on Mulholland, through the mist on Mulholland, through the mist on Mulholland
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I love the lyrics. I love all the unanswered questions. I love the guitar at the very end.
From the very first line, "do you remember dreams?" he knows he asking about her first love and not the stupid replacement she has now. He thinks the former could be him. The swagger of the music justifies his line of questioning.
I'm also a sucker for a repetitious phrase, especially if it takes a twist in the final chorus. The intonation and rhythm of Brian's voice during "if you ever took your love away" is painfully truthful and becomes simply gut-wrenching.
"The mist on Mulholland" adds a touch of personal atmospherics that contribute to the gray, gray, gray, fucking imagery (it's in the title, after all).
It's currently my second favorite song on the album. "Teenage Rebellion" is just too incredible for words right now. I need more time to reflect on that one.