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.
Got a box full of letters,
Think you might like to read
Some things that you might like to see,
But they're all addressed to me
Wish I had a lotta answers,
'Cause that's the way it should be
For all these questions,
Being directed at me
I just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
You'll come back again
And I'll still be your friend
I got a lot of your records,
In a separate stack
Some things that I might like to hear,
But I guess I'll give 'em back
I wish I had a lotta answers,
'Cause that's the way it should be
All these questions
Being directed at me
Just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
You'll come back again,
And I'll still be your friend
I can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
Just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
Think you might like to read
Some things that you might like to see,
But they're all addressed to me
Wish I had a lotta answers,
'Cause that's the way it should be
For all these questions,
Being directed at me
I just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
You'll come back again
And I'll still be your friend
I got a lot of your records,
In a separate stack
Some things that I might like to hear,
But I guess I'll give 'em back
I wish I had a lotta answers,
'Cause that's the way it should be
All these questions
Being directed at me
Just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
You'll come back again,
And I'll still be your friend
I can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
Just can't find the time
To write my mind
The way I want it to read
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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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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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.
This one sounds like its from Jeff Tweedy with love to Jay Farrar. Alot of the tunes on AM are breakup songs which makes me think that thery'e really about the break up of Uncle Tupelo. This one in particular strikes me as being about Uncle Tupelo b/c of the records line, and because there's no lovey dovey stuff. On a lot of the other songs there is a lot of ambiguity as to whether it a romantic breakup or not, but on this one he never really alludes to romance, he just wants to be friends again. Also it seems to me that the questions that he doesn't have answers too are the ones from the media.
This is how I interpret this song too.
its amazing how u can understand everything from such subtle wording.."I got a lot of your records In a separate stack" instant emotion. gorgeous. Xx
i think this song sorta sounds like a person who's old friend moved away, and is writing him, but he's not writing back because he just can't find the time to write his mind the way he wants it to read. but he'll still be his friend when he moves back.
My take is that it is a song about fan mail.
There's too many to reply to in any meaningful way, and sometimes fans send in their own demos or covers that he doesn't have time to listen to. He feels a little guilty that he can't respond, but he knows that the fans will still come back to the shows and buy the music. And that he appreciates each one.