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.
He came by in his funeral suit
In an open-hearted shade of blue
Asked me what I'd like to do
On a July evening
To Bermondsey or to Shoreditch
I said I don't know which is which
The night's a thread for him to stitch
For me, the unbelieving
In the end we just stay in
And gesture with our mugs of gin
Dance around this borrowed kitchen
A stop and start dumb show
I am a cold filament
We advance in tender increments
Between the past and future tense
Test the weight of both
In an open-hearted shade of blue
Asked me what I'd like to do
On a July evening
To Bermondsey or to Shoreditch
I said I don't know which is which
The night's a thread for him to stitch
For me, the unbelieving
In the end we just stay in
And gesture with our mugs of gin
Dance around this borrowed kitchen
A stop and start dumb show
I am a cold filament
We advance in tender increments
Between the past and future tense
Test the weight of both
Lyrics submitted by InkFeather
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