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.
The sun reflected in the back of my eye
I knocked my head against the sky
The dragonflies are busy buzzing me
Seahorses if we were in the sea
Halfway from coal, halfway to diamond
My fall knocked a mean chip out of me
I'm gathering as far as I can reach
We're perched up on the precipice
And this is what I've seen
This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it's everything
This is all I want it's all I need
A Blue Jay hectors from the felled catalpa tree
Doctorate in science and a theologian's
Dream
The dragonflies are trying to lecture me
Seahorses if we were in the sea
This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it's everything
This is all I want it's all I need
Beat a drum for me, like a butterfly wing
Tropical storm across the ocean
But don't explain, I'm sure I'll want to know
But don't forget, we're just halfway from coal
This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it's everything
This is all I want it's all I need
I knocked my head against the sky
The dragonflies are busy buzzing me
Seahorses if we were in the sea
Halfway from coal, halfway to diamond
My fall knocked a mean chip out of me
I'm gathering as far as I can reach
We're perched up on the precipice
And this is what I've seen
This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it's everything
This is all I want it's all I need
A Blue Jay hectors from the felled catalpa tree
Doctorate in science and a theologian's
Dream
The dragonflies are trying to lecture me
Seahorses if we were in the sea
This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it's everything
This is all I want it's all I need
Beat a drum for me, like a butterfly wing
Tropical storm across the ocean
But don't explain, I'm sure I'll want to know
But don't forget, we're just halfway from coal
This is all I want it's all I need
This is all I am it's everything
This is all I want it's all I need
Lyrics submitted by xpankfrisst
Beat A Drum Lyrics as written by Michael Mills Peter Buck
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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".
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"Halfway from coal, halfway to diamond" is all about being in the middle of some kind of journey or transformation. The next line, "My fall knocked a mean chip out of me", indicates that the narrator has 'seen the light' in some way. Something happened that knocked them off of their pedestal. However, the process of going from 'jerk' to 'nice guy' (or whatever the transformation is) takes a long time, sort of like the amount of time it would take a lump of coal (with sufficient heat and pressure) to become a diamond...
unless you're superman.