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.
Tributary Otis
Well I've traveled,
and I've seen the things I build, working
Workin' to bring me down
And I may be thirsty now
And I will go beyond this thirst
And my tears I cry for you will all go dry
So I lay down on the floor, turn on my radio
Come on River Otis make me cry
'Cause I've been out all night
And I had to give up the fight
So come on River Otis make me cry
Come on River Otis make me cry
Well I've fallen
But I have risen too in what I believe in
Now I see through
And you got thirsty too
So you come to my well
And the only thing you brought was your thousand yard stare
So I lay down on the floor, turn on my radio
Come on River Otis make me cry
'Cause I've been out all night
Still I had to give up the fight
So come on River Otis make me cry
Come on River Otis make me cry
Yeah make me cry
Well I've traveled
And I've seen the things I build working
Workin' to bring me down
Well I ain't thirsty no more
I've gone beyond that thirst
And the tears I cried for you, all gone dry
YEAH- So I lay down on the floor
Turn on my radio
Come on River Otis make me cry
Cause I been out all night
Still I had to give up the fight
Now come on River Otis make me cry
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis make me
Come on River Otis make me cry
YEAH make me cry
YEAH YEAH make me cry, cry
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis make me
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis
Make me try YEAH
Make me cry
Come on River Otis
Come on and make me cry
Try-try try try try
Yeah come on and make me cry
Well I've traveled,
and I've seen the things I build, working
Workin' to bring me down
And I may be thirsty now
And I will go beyond this thirst
And my tears I cry for you will all go dry
So I lay down on the floor, turn on my radio
Come on River Otis make me cry
'Cause I've been out all night
And I had to give up the fight
So come on River Otis make me cry
Come on River Otis make me cry
Well I've fallen
But I have risen too in what I believe in
Now I see through
And you got thirsty too
So you come to my well
And the only thing you brought was your thousand yard stare
So I lay down on the floor, turn on my radio
Come on River Otis make me cry
'Cause I've been out all night
Still I had to give up the fight
So come on River Otis make me cry
Come on River Otis make me cry
Yeah make me cry
Well I've traveled
And I've seen the things I build working
Workin' to bring me down
Well I ain't thirsty no more
I've gone beyond that thirst
And the tears I cried for you, all gone dry
YEAH- So I lay down on the floor
Turn on my radio
Come on River Otis make me cry
Cause I been out all night
Still I had to give up the fight
Now come on River Otis make me cry
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis make me
Come on River Otis make me cry
YEAH make me cry
YEAH YEAH make me cry, cry
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis make me
Come on River Otis
Come on River Otis
Make me try YEAH
Make me cry
Come on River Otis
Come on and make me cry
Try-try try try try
Yeah come on and make me cry
Lyrics submitted by rabidpenguin
Tributary Otis Lyrics as written by Brian Blush Arthur "buddy" Edwards
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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