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.
And I see forests and it's the 25th of December
And my old man plays the piano for Christmas
He plays the piano for Christmas
And we're all there, all the aunties and uncles
And the angel's on the top of the tree
Up there on the top of the tree
And I never, no, I never ever realized
And I never, no, I never ever realized
Have I enough time, have I just some time
To revisit, to go back, to return
To open my mouth again
And say something different this time
And I see bags of newspapers and a car in the carport
And you're a grown up and still unsure
And I'm thirty and I don't know nothing no more
And I never, no, I never ever realized
And I never, no, I never ever realized
And I'm sittin', sittin' at the top of the stairs
And you're cryin' out on the towpath by the river
With all the swans and all the people walkin' by
And all of a sudden I'm stuck with an urge to unlock a door
With a key that's too big for my hands
And I drop it, and it falls at your feet
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
And I never, no, I never ever realized
You see, I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
And I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
You see, I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
And I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
You see, I never, no, I never ever realized
And my old man plays the piano for Christmas
He plays the piano for Christmas
And we're all there, all the aunties and uncles
And the angel's on the top of the tree
Up there on the top of the tree
And I never, no, I never ever realized
And I never, no, I never ever realized
Have I enough time, have I just some time
To revisit, to go back, to return
To open my mouth again
And say something different this time
And I see bags of newspapers and a car in the carport
And you're a grown up and still unsure
And I'm thirty and I don't know nothing no more
And I never, no, I never ever realized
And I never, no, I never ever realized
And I'm sittin', sittin' at the top of the stairs
And you're cryin' out on the towpath by the river
With all the swans and all the people walkin' by
And all of a sudden I'm stuck with an urge to unlock a door
With a key that's too big for my hands
And I drop it, and it falls at your feet
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
And I never, no, I never ever realized
You see, I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
And I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
You see, I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
And I never, no, I never ever realized
Come on, come on, it's there at your feet
You see, I never, no, I never ever realized
Lyrics submitted by punkmebabygal, edited by oldmotem
25th December Lyrics as written by Ben Watt
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
A sad and melancholy Christmas tune. One of the best. A 30 year old reflects upon his past and realizes that this Christmas is everything ABOUT the girl. The one he used to know on Christmasses past. Maybe she lived next door. He never ever realized...but now he does...that he has a key too big for his hands that he drops at her feet. He wants her to pick it up...it's right there at her feet. He's gone out to see her walking on that Christmas day. And wants her to pick up the key to his heart.
Sadness about hoping to change the past by saying something he never did before. Hopefully, it will work, but we never do find out. He ends up imploring her to pick up the key at her feet. But we don't know if she ever does.