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.
Heaven is a switchboard that you want to fight
She would even miss you if you taught her sight
Power politician leaning to the right
Baby's got a trust fund
That she'll want to go off like that
Get off of my stack
Leave a little window
Get off of my stack
Now we wear same-colored yellow uniforms
Sky is burning
But at least we're warm
Go and run yourself a million miles
Hoping that the colors run out
And you go off like that
Get off of my stack
Leave a little window
Get off of my stack
You can never see yourself
Ringing all around it
No one is on lake Michigan
You labored on, lake Michigan
Not another payoff
Get off of my stack
Leave a little window
Get off of my stack
You know it won't do
Get off of my stack
She would even miss you if you taught her sight
Power politician leaning to the right
Baby's got a trust fund
That she'll want to go off like that
Get off of my stack
Leave a little window
Get off of my stack
Now we wear same-colored yellow uniforms
Sky is burning
But at least we're warm
Go and run yourself a million miles
Hoping that the colors run out
And you go off like that
Get off of my stack
Leave a little window
Get off of my stack
You can never see yourself
Ringing all around it
No one is on lake Michigan
You labored on, lake Michigan
Not another payoff
Get off of my stack
Leave a little window
Get off of my stack
You know it won't do
Get off of my stack
Lyrics submitted by littlemass
Lake Michigan Lyrics as written by Zachary David Schwartz
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Lake Michigan, as much as everyone here would love to believe, is actually NOT a polluted shithole lake surrounded by factories that dump excessive waste into it (Unless you're in Indiana, but of course, that's just Indiana).
I swim in Lake Michigan all the time...its basically my swimming pool. Jump right off the concrete seawall north of oak street beach. It's actually quite awesome. Chicago's lakefront was recently ranked one of the cleanest in the world.
So, anyways, yes i think this song is about pollution, but stereotyping the great lakes region as an industrial waste-dumping craphouse is pretty inaccurate. Californians seem to make a habit of that...
Pollution is an an element.<br /> To me it is a larger metaphor though.<br /> "Get off of my stack" Means Don't touch my money.<br /> I believe the song is to relate, pollution, anti-labor union actions, and war using this region as a microcosm. Taxes to pay for clean up that isn't seen as used, would seem to be to pay for war.<br /> Also differing State policies there may emphasize these themes. Someone regional could specify policy difference on these elements. <br /> To me it makes sense and I don't think it is reading too much into the song.
Well congratulations to you Chicago. The REAL beaches of Lake Michigan reside in the state it is named for who have had the most to fo with the cleaning of the Lakes. And lake Michigan at it's worst was never considered a dirty lake, that was Erie. Grand Haven, Holland Saugutuck, Charlevoix, Traverse City those are amazing beaches and that is pure Michigan.
"but at least we know we're warm"
If he is talking about pollution, he must be referring to Chicago because West Michigan is pretty eco-friendly.
What abou the line : " Give a little window" what does that mean?
this song has been stuck in my head all day! where is it from? I cannot figure out what "get off of my stack" would mean. any suggestions?
i'm guessing it means get away from my money..
Song is from the movie, "Love happens"
@ChloeGirldie it is also from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
I would like to know as well
get off my stack, maybe meaning get off of my amplifier stack? i mean, they ARE musicians.
@brightbeatles Pete Townshend used that phrasing of 'Stack=amplifier' in "The Sea Refuses No River". Not sure about here - this song is a bit baffling.
@brightbeatles Pete Townshend used that phrasing of 'Stack=amplifier' in "The Sea Refuses No River". Not sure about here - this song is a bit baffling.
Does this song remind you of... the Zune commercial ...
... a distinctly psychedelic, a combination of Alice in Wonderland ... giant dancing peeps ... swimming with jellyfish
Get off of my style!
I don't care what the lyrics say. And I think the 3d verse sounds more like this ( admitting that I don't know what goes in the {} ) :
you can never see yourself ringing all around it [x6]
You know why [x2] Cause you've got {??} You Labor [x2] Cause you've got {??} All alone {??} Leave a little window Get off my style You know you can do Get off my style Style...
you can never see yourself ringing all around it [x2]
I am not a fan of novelty songs, but how can you resist this. The hand clapping beats & echoing bass is toe-tapping fun. Kinda reminds me of summer.
They should put a crack label on this song... addictive