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.
I know it's late, I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Still here we are, both of us lonely
Longing for shelter from all that we see
Why should we worry, no one will care girl
Look at the stars so far away
We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight babe
Why don't you stay?
Deep in my soul, I've been so lonely
All of my hopes, fading away
I've longed for love, like everyone else does
I know I'll keep searching, even after today
So there it is girl, I've said it all now
And here we are babe, what do you say?
We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight babe
Why don't you stay?
I know it's late, I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Still here we are, both of us lonely
Both of us lonely
We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?
Let's make it last, let's find a way
Turn out the lights, come take my hand
We've got tonight babe
Why don't you stay?
Oh oh oh why don't you stay?
I know your plans don't include me
Still here we are, both of us lonely
Longing for shelter from all that we see
Why should we worry, no one will care girl
Look at the stars so far away
We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight babe
Why don't you stay?
Deep in my soul, I've been so lonely
All of my hopes, fading away
I've longed for love, like everyone else does
I know I'll keep searching, even after today
So there it is girl, I've said it all now
And here we are babe, what do you say?
We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?
We've got tonight babe
Why don't you stay?
I know it's late, I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Still here we are, both of us lonely
Both of us lonely
We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?
Let's make it last, let's find a way
Turn out the lights, come take my hand
We've got tonight babe
Why don't you stay?
Oh oh oh why don't you stay?
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
The best sexual proposition ever set to music.
This song is almost a perfect description of a night I spent with a very close female friend of mine. We had been friends for about 5 years, kind of always liked each other but never went beyond friendship. She was going to be leaving for college in less than a week and I knew this would be the last time I would see her before she left and potentionally the last time I would see her for a long time (turned out to be over 10 years). We stayed up all night and watched the sunrise in the morning, and yes, it became a one night stand so to speak. Over 15 years later and I still think of her every time I hear this song.
I love this song. :) To me, it means that there's a guy and girl in this "Now or Never" sort of situation. They've had feelings for each other, but never acted upon them. Now, one of them is going away. The guy(narrator) knows that it's too late, but he wants to just do something about it, so he suggests just being together for the night, and just having the ONE night to themselves. But taht's just my opinion
i serenade people with this song. bob you rock my socks
Definitely the sweetest way to sing about a one-night stand.
I read somewhere that he got the idea for this song from the scene in the movie "The Sting" where Robert Redford hooks up with this lady for one night. He knocks on her door and says it's 2AM (maybe 4AM, I don't remember) and I don't know nobody. Good scene from a good movie and an awesome song.
This song could also be about friends crossing the line. If you find yourself in that situation, I'd also recommend listening to Dave Matthews Band's "Say Goodbye"
jim19617, you're WRONG! This is a song about a one night stand. If you actually know anything about seger's music, you would know that he said this plenty of times in interviews. Shakemaker, you're right about the idea from the movie too!
@rdubois85 Yeah. It's about a one night stand. This song elevates it by humanizing participants of it. It's not callous or malicious. Course he could just be feeding her a line to get what he wants (sex!) but I choose to think he's being a bit more sincere than that.
@rdubois85 Yeah. It's about a one night stand. This song elevates it by humanizing participants of it. It's not callous or malicious. Course he could just be feeding her a line to get what he wants (sex!) but I choose to think he's being a bit more sincere than that.
one night stand, definately
or maybe even one night stand involving two lonely people, two lonely people who desparately want to make sweet sweetlove to one another :-P no, but seriously, i don't think it's just lip service
This isn't about a 1-night stand. It's about the end of a relationship. The narrator simply wants one last night with the lady he still cares for
Ronan Keating and Lulu murdered it.
I love this tune. Now this one really grows on you. Just soft and slow and I just love the line 'We've got tonight, who needs tomorrow?'.