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.
With your ways and your beautiful face
I am convinced that this is the place
We cannot distrust one another
Stick in this cause you are my brother
All the children hang with a slit throat
Never enough slack is put on the rope
All I wanna do is look inside
You never had to run and hide
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
I wanna say that you are the meek
They stood back and never had to speak
I hope you like it when you taste the water
I hope you like it when it's inside your daughter
When am I supposed to know when I'm wrong
When you let this go on for so long
I wasn't the child with a hurt soul
But I do feel I was left in the cold
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
I want to know what you want to know
And they all wanna know what we want to know
So this comes and goes to show
Who do you trust your friend or your foe
I guess I was wrong I thought we were blood
All mixed up but what made the good
The ones that meant the ones that stood
The ones that mattered the ones that could
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Cold nor mild
Cold nor mild
Cold nor mild
I am convinced that this is the place
We cannot distrust one another
Stick in this cause you are my brother
All the children hang with a slit throat
Never enough slack is put on the rope
All I wanna do is look inside
You never had to run and hide
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
I wanna say that you are the meek
They stood back and never had to speak
I hope you like it when you taste the water
I hope you like it when it's inside your daughter
When am I supposed to know when I'm wrong
When you let this go on for so long
I wasn't the child with a hurt soul
But I do feel I was left in the cold
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
I want to know what you want to know
And they all wanna know what we want to know
So this comes and goes to show
Who do you trust your friend or your foe
I guess I was wrong I thought we were blood
All mixed up but what made the good
The ones that meant the ones that stood
The ones that mattered the ones that could
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Depends on the child
Cold nor mild
The weaker spares the child
Cold nor mild
Cold nor mild
Cold nor mild
Cold nor mild
Lyrics submitted by GreenStreetImmortal
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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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@[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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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.