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.
Wait, oh yes, wait a minute, Mister Postman
Wait, wai-ai-ai-ait Mister Postman
Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
There must be some word today
From my girlfriend so far away
Please, Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me
I been standing here waiting, Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Saying she's returning home to me
(Please, Mister Postman) Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
So many days you passed me by
See the tear standing in my eye
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a card or a letter
Mister Postman (Mister Postman), look and see
Is there a letter in your bag for me?
I been waiting a long, long time
Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Check it and see, one more time for me
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Mister Postman, oh yeah
Deliver the letter, the sooner the better
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Wait, wai-ai-ai-ait Mister Postman
Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
There must be some word today
From my girlfriend so far away
Please, Mister Postman, look and see
If there's a letter, a letter for me
I been standing here waiting, Mister Postman
So patiently
For just a card or just a letter
Saying she's returning home to me
(Please, Mister Postman) Mister Postman look and see
(Oh, yeah) Is there a letter in your bag for me?
(Please, please, Mister Postman) I been waiting a long, long time
(Oh, yeah) Since I heard from that girl of mine
So many days you passed me by
See the tear standing in my eye
You didn't stop to make me feel better
By leaving me a card or a letter
Mister Postman (Mister Postman), look and see
Is there a letter in your bag for me?
I been waiting a long, long time
Since I heard from that girlfriend of mine
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Check it and see, one more time for me
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
Mister Postman, oh yeah
Deliver the letter, the sooner the better
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, oh yeah
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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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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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Beatles kick ass! I'm so glad my mum got me into these when i was a kid! and even better im from Liverpool! best band ever