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 jumped in the river, what did I see?
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the figures I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
I jumped into the river
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the figures I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the figures I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt
I jumped into the river
Black-eyed angels swam with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
And all the figures I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
There was nothing to fear, nothing to doubt
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Piano portion sounds anti-rhythmic at first. It has a pattern, but it is a complex one. This is not a catchy tune that will get whistled by fans of "pop" music.
In a way, it seems the piano and bass are playing the rhythm section and the drums are riffing, filling in, and making some melody. Then -- of course -- there's Yorke. At last, here is the soul and character of the song, the depth of melody and fragile strength. There are parts where the vocal precedes the strings which mimic the vocal, adding to the spooky and ethereal nature of the song.
Climbing the Pyramid. Everything flows together, music and lyrics and vocals, to the point where it all -- inevitably -- softens and merges. "Nothing to fear nothing to doubt" is at the point of the pyramid, where structure meets sky, form meets nothingness, and life ends at a door. Its a door we must all pass through. Eternity awaits you.