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.
Lucy, you stay here...the tomb is warm
Why don't you play with the dools...
The dolls on the wall
I am not the guy I used to be,
Not since he put me away
I left half my brain behind, back in that crazy place
Does that mean...that I am insane
Does that really mean...that I am to blame...NO NO NO
Is it true what they say...little girls don't cry
Is it true what they say...Lucy look at me
I am not the guy I used to be,
Not since he put me away
I left half my brain behind, back in that crazy place
Does that mean...that I am insane
Does that really mean...that I am to blame...NO NO NO
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
I will be your misery, I'm gonna be your HELL
I will be your misery, and I wish you well, in HELL
I'm digging graves, seven deadly tombs
I'm digging graves, below that crazy moon
I will be your misery, I'm gonna be your HELL
I will be your misery, and I wish you well, in HELL
McKenzie, how could you think I'd forget
[SOLO: Andy - SOLO: Herb]
All graves done...I'm so clever
Seven headstones in all...saying "Lucy Forever"
I am not the guy I used to be,
Not since he put me away
I left half my brain behind, back in that crazy place
Does that mean...that I am insane
Does that really mean...that I am to blame...NO NO NO
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
I will be your misery, I'm gonna be your HELL
I will be your misery, and I wish you well, in HELL
I'm digging graves, seven deadly tombs
I'm digging graves, below that crazy moon
[SOLO: Herb]
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me...
Why don't you play with the dools...
The dolls on the wall
I am not the guy I used to be,
Not since he put me away
I left half my brain behind, back in that crazy place
Does that mean...that I am insane
Does that really mean...that I am to blame...NO NO NO
Is it true what they say...little girls don't cry
Is it true what they say...Lucy look at me
I am not the guy I used to be,
Not since he put me away
I left half my brain behind, back in that crazy place
Does that mean...that I am insane
Does that really mean...that I am to blame...NO NO NO
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
I will be your misery, I'm gonna be your HELL
I will be your misery, and I wish you well, in HELL
I'm digging graves, seven deadly tombs
I'm digging graves, below that crazy moon
I will be your misery, I'm gonna be your HELL
I will be your misery, and I wish you well, in HELL
McKenzie, how could you think I'd forget
[SOLO: Andy - SOLO: Herb]
All graves done...I'm so clever
Seven headstones in all...saying "Lucy Forever"
I am not the guy I used to be,
Not since he put me away
I left half my brain behind, back in that crazy place
Does that mean...that I am insane
Does that really mean...that I am to blame...NO NO NO
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me
I will be your misery, I'm gonna be your HELL
I will be your misery, and I wish you well, in HELL
I'm digging graves, seven deadly tombs
I'm digging graves, below that crazy moon
[SOLO: Herb]
Into the night I go, and you can't follow me...
Lyrics submitted by Rider_of_the_Sun
Digging Graves Lyrics as written by Kim Bendix Petersen
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Fintage House Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.