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.
Must have been late after noon
I could tell by how far the child's shadow stretched out
And he walked with a purpose in his sneakers down the street
He had many questions like children often do
He said, "Tell me all your thoughts on God
And tell me, am I very far?"
Must have been late after noon
On our way, the sun broke free of the clouds
We count only blue cars skip the cracks in the street
And ask many questions like children often do
We said, "Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'd really like to meet her.
And ask her why we're who we are."
Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'm on my way to see her
So tell me, am I very far
Am I very far now
It's getting cold, picked up the pace
How our shoes make hard noises in this place
Our clothes are stained, we pass many cross eyed people
And ask many questions like children often do
We said, Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'd really like to meet her
And ask her why we're who we are
Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'm on my way to see her
So tell me am I very far
Am I very far now?
Tell me all your thoughts on God
Tell me all your thoughts on God
I could tell by how far the child's shadow stretched out
And he walked with a purpose in his sneakers down the street
He had many questions like children often do
He said, "Tell me all your thoughts on God
And tell me, am I very far?"
Must have been late after noon
On our way, the sun broke free of the clouds
We count only blue cars skip the cracks in the street
And ask many questions like children often do
We said, "Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'd really like to meet her.
And ask her why we're who we are."
Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'm on my way to see her
So tell me, am I very far
Am I very far now
It's getting cold, picked up the pace
How our shoes make hard noises in this place
Our clothes are stained, we pass many cross eyed people
And ask many questions like children often do
We said, Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'd really like to meet her
And ask her why we're who we are
Tell me all your thoughts on God
'Cause I'm on my way to see her
So tell me am I very far
Am I very far now?
Tell me all your thoughts on God
Tell me all your thoughts on God
Lyrics submitted by sadlilemogirl, edited by davidst, terriebari
Counting Blue Cars Lyrics as written by George Edward Iii Pendergast George Pendergast Iii
Lyrics © BIGGER THAN PEANUT BUTTER MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Abkco Music Inc.
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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.”
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i interpret this as a child dying.... ive always thot that mb the counting blue cars and skipping cracks part is just supposed to represent the simplicity of being a kid...... and that dying is way too complex of a thing for kids because kids should be concerned aout little things, like avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk and in little games., like counting how many blue cars are on the road.
i also believe that the reason for referring to himself as a child says that death is too complex for even him to understand.
but the part that throws me off is the "cross eyed people." u no how when ur cross eyed u see two of everything? i think that mb there isnt really a kid, just a simpler, childish side to him that just doesnt understand death or god... all the big questions that everyone gives up wondering about when they get older. theyve got "more important things."
any thoughts?
@goodgollymissmolly I think you're pretty close... the way I interpreted the story (or at least what formed in my head) was of a child (or children) who became victims of violence and was thus asking God for why "we are who we are" as his/her spirit continue to linger and walk the street while counting all the 'blue police cars' lined up as they wait for God to receive them in heaven... thus, the reference to the "it's getting cold" our "clothes are stained" and "i'm on my way to meet Her" and as they pass the many people (bystanders I'm guessing) who are also asking God about the senseless violence and why it happened... just my two cents!