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.
You, doing that thing you do
Breaking my heart into
A million pieces, Like you always do
And you, don´t mean to be cruel,
Ya never even knew About the heartache
I´ve been going through,
And I try and try to forget you girl
But it´s just so hard to do
Every time you do that thing you do
I, know all the games you play,
And I´m gonna find a way
To let you know that, You´ll be mine someday
Cause we, could be happy can´t you see?
If you´d only let me be
The one to hold you And keep you here with me
Cause I try and try to forget you girl,
But it´s just so hard to do,
Every time you do that thing you do
I don´t ask a lot girl,
But I know one thing for sure,
It´s your love I haven´t got girl,
And I just can´t take it anymore
Cause we, could be happy, can´t you see?
If you´d only let me be
The one to hold you And keep you here with me
Cause it hurts me so Just to see you go
Around with someone new
And if I know you you´re doing that thing
Every day just doing that thing
And I can´t take you do that thing you do
Breaking my heart into
A million pieces, Like you always do
And you, don´t mean to be cruel,
Ya never even knew About the heartache
I´ve been going through,
And I try and try to forget you girl
But it´s just so hard to do
Every time you do that thing you do
I, know all the games you play,
And I´m gonna find a way
To let you know that, You´ll be mine someday
Cause we, could be happy can´t you see?
If you´d only let me be
The one to hold you And keep you here with me
Cause I try and try to forget you girl,
But it´s just so hard to do,
Every time you do that thing you do
I don´t ask a lot girl,
But I know one thing for sure,
It´s your love I haven´t got girl,
And I just can´t take it anymore
Cause we, could be happy, can´t you see?
If you´d only let me be
The one to hold you And keep you here with me
Cause it hurts me so Just to see you go
Around with someone new
And if I know you you´re doing that thing
Every day just doing that thing
And I can´t take you do that thing you do
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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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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This song is indeed actually performed by Fountains of Wayne.
The Oneders (nor the Wonders) don't actually exist. Never did. Not in this context at least.
This song is by Fountains of Wayne.