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.
If you go down to deep elm put your money in your shoes
The women in deep elem, they give you the deep elem blues
Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues
Once I had a girlfriend, she meant the world to me
She went down to deep elem, now, she ain't what she used to be
Once I knew a preacher, preached the bible through and through
He went sown to deep elem, now, his preaching days are through
When you go down to deep elem to have a little fun
Have your ten dollars ready when the police man comes
When yo go down to deep elem put your money in your pants
'Cause the women in deep elem, they don't give a man a chance
Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues
The women in deep elem, they give you the deep elem blues
Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues
Once I had a girlfriend, she meant the world to me
She went down to deep elem, now, she ain't what she used to be
Once I knew a preacher, preached the bible through and through
He went sown to deep elem, now, his preaching days are through
When you go down to deep elem to have a little fun
Have your ten dollars ready when the police man comes
When yo go down to deep elem put your money in your pants
'Cause the women in deep elem, they don't give a man a chance
Oh, sweet mama, your daddy's got them deep elem blues
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Deep Elem Blues Lyrics as written by Brent Richard Mydland Dp
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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another verse: when you go down to deep elem, put your money in your socks the women in deep elem, they'll put you on the rocks
this song is about syphilis, i think. that's why the preacher's preaching days are through, because syphilis degenerates your mind, and "sweet mama . . your daddy's got those deep elem blues" i.e. warning. your "daddy" (old blues slang for husband) got it in deep elem & could give it to you
That is a fantastic interpretation of the song. I always thought it was about a party/gambling town like old Las Vegas, But your interpretation makes a lot of sense.