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.
Who can now remember Zebediah Lane?
The great singing sensation of 1909
With his chicken and his monkey and his ukelele
He achieved what seemed like undying fame
But now his multi-platinum wax cylinder rolls
Like his name, have crumbled away
One hundred years from now
Who will still be famous?
Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5
John Crist of the Dashboard Saviours
Or their collaborators
Pearl Jam, REM, Sonic Youth, Guided By Voices
The Walkabouts, The Posies (Ken and John)
The Presidents of the United States Of America
(Not them, the other ones)?
Massive popularity is never enough
Not even worldwide acclaim or universal love
Can guarantee eternities of honour
For our names
As Velazquez and Picasso will happily explain
History remembers the names
Of those who creep out of the shadows
And reposition the frames
Beam me up, Scott McCaughey
Let's take The Minus 5 at warp factor 3
To a planet just like Earth, to a city like Madrid
To a place just like the Prado Gallery
We'll spend the day just looking at Las Meninas
Asking ourselves 'Who was that king? What was his name?
The one who let his family get in the way
Of the self-portrait Velazquez was painting?'
Wearing shades at night is never enough
Not exceptional skill or below zero cool at Minus 5 degrees
Can guarantee eternities of honour for our names
As Scott McCaughey and I have no doubt realised
History remembers the names
Of those who creep out of the shadows
And reposition the frames
The great singing sensation of 1909
With his chicken and his monkey and his ukelele
He achieved what seemed like undying fame
But now his multi-platinum wax cylinder rolls
Like his name, have crumbled away
One hundred years from now
Who will still be famous?
Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5
John Crist of the Dashboard Saviours
Or their collaborators
Pearl Jam, REM, Sonic Youth, Guided By Voices
The Walkabouts, The Posies (Ken and John)
The Presidents of the United States Of America
(Not them, the other ones)?
Massive popularity is never enough
Not even worldwide acclaim or universal love
Can guarantee eternities of honour
For our names
As Velazquez and Picasso will happily explain
History remembers the names
Of those who creep out of the shadows
And reposition the frames
Beam me up, Scott McCaughey
Let's take The Minus 5 at warp factor 3
To a planet just like Earth, to a city like Madrid
To a place just like the Prado Gallery
We'll spend the day just looking at Las Meninas
Asking ourselves 'Who was that king? What was his name?
The one who let his family get in the way
Of the self-portrait Velazquez was painting?'
Wearing shades at night is never enough
Not exceptional skill or below zero cool at Minus 5 degrees
Can guarantee eternities of honour for our names
As Scott McCaughey and I have no doubt realised
History remembers the names
Of those who creep out of the shadows
And reposition the frames
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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