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.
Yes, I heard all that you had to say
That's when it all fell apart
Might be hated, but I can't pretend
I liked you better before
So long, So long
Front foot leads the back one
Go on, and it won't be too soon
I'm gone, I'm gone
And onto the next one
So long, and I won't be back soon
Yes, I'm be blue, but from holding my breath
Like I have from the start
I'm a villain and I should confess
I liked you better before
So long, So long
And onto the next one
Go on, and it won't be too soon
I'm gone, I'm gone
Bet you saw this one coming
So long, and I won't be back soon
It's hateful to say, See it this way
Don't even know who you are
But in my defense, I'd do it again
Don't need to know who you are
So long, So long
And onto the next one
Go on, and it won't be too soon
Your gone, Your gone
Are you waiting for something?
Go on, 'cause I won't be back soon
It's hateful to say, see it this way
Don't even know who you are
But in my defense, I'd do it again
Don't need to know who you are
So long, So long
Front foot leads the back one
Go on, 'cause you won't be too soon
You're lost and gone
And onto the next one
Don't need to know who you are
Don't need to know who you are
That's when it all fell apart
Might be hated, but I can't pretend
I liked you better before
So long, So long
Front foot leads the back one
Go on, and it won't be too soon
I'm gone, I'm gone
And onto the next one
So long, and I won't be back soon
Yes, I'm be blue, but from holding my breath
Like I have from the start
I'm a villain and I should confess
I liked you better before
So long, So long
And onto the next one
Go on, and it won't be too soon
I'm gone, I'm gone
Bet you saw this one coming
So long, and I won't be back soon
It's hateful to say, See it this way
Don't even know who you are
But in my defense, I'd do it again
Don't need to know who you are
So long, So long
And onto the next one
Go on, and it won't be too soon
Your gone, Your gone
Are you waiting for something?
Go on, 'cause I won't be back soon
It's hateful to say, see it this way
Don't even know who you are
But in my defense, I'd do it again
Don't need to know who you are
So long, So long
Front foot leads the back one
Go on, 'cause you won't be too soon
You're lost and gone
And onto the next one
Don't need to know who you are
Don't need to know who you are
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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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,
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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.
OK...I do not think it is about a one night stand. To me the song is all about a guy/girl trying to convince themselves its all OK after a relationship has ended. We've all done this. A relationship ends, probably one that deep down meant a lot, and we're like...its cool, see ya later, "I'm on to the next one". This song has lots of emotions that change from line to line. The 3/4 time key has a playful tone to it, very free spirited etc. But the lines themselves are filled with hurt. "I don't even to know who you are" then he changes it to (ya know strike that I dont care that I dont know you and adds) "I don't need to know who you are" is just like a shrug off. Yet he keeps repeating it over and over. The final lines of the song say "you're lost and gone and on to the next one" makes you feel like you the writer is standing back watching the person go on to the next one, like they told them to, yet repeats those lines over and again about the fact they don't need to know them. I love the lines "yes I'm blue but from holding my breath, like I have from the start" How many times have you been in a relationship where you are not yourself, and you've held back feelings and anger etc, out of fear. I think this line is a release of that feeling. It doesnt go along with a one night stand scenario.... So basically I see this as a way for the writer to convince themselves, ok, fine, so long, see ya, i'm cool...but deep down he knows he's just covering it all up.
@alwayssearching2 you absolutely nailed it
This song to me is kinda reminding me of a one night stand kinda. just makes alot of sense. I dunno i could be wrong, but listen to it and think about it, It makes sense.
I think it's about having a relationship and then something they said ruined it, it's like they never knew each other in the first place, but at the same time regrets leaving
I agree with MnOverboard
This song is definitly about the end of a relationship and just saying goodbye, saying I don't need you and I can get by "and go on to the next one."
This song is about he's insecurities, Ryan loves to write about how insecure he is. And in this song it is about how he is so insecure, he cant be in a relationship at this point in his life(and is u didnt know Ryan Miller is single)
The lyrics are a bit off on this one, but the song is awesome. Definately about a one-night-stand or something like that where "they" got together too quickly for their own good, and this person realizes it, and has no regrets.
this ie of the best songs i've ever heard. as far as meaning i thinkhe was in a fragile relationship w/ someone and it broke. he feels bad about it, but he knows he will do it again. (But in my defense I'd do it again I don't need to know who you are ).
I always took it farther than saying it was a one night stand...I thought it was about picking up a prostitute...a night together and then leaving each other nameless. Now that's probably not what Ryan meant when he wrote it, but that's what it makes me think of!
So i have a different idea of this song. I think y'all are limiting it too much saying that it is a relationship. This song means alot to me and was perfect for something i was going through with one of my closest friends. It's not about just happinly ending a relationship and moving on. The narrator was really hurt by someone. The other person's true colors were shown. It's about getting fed up with the crap that someone is giving to them, and telling them -- That's it, i've heard what you have to say and it's a load of crap that's where it all fell apart. Then the narrator is moving on.
The "in my defense i'd do it again" part to me is saying before you screwed up i really enjoyed what we had. I dunno, these lyrics just TOTALLY fit what i was experiencing so that's probably why i see it all this way. Also, totally don't think the one night stand thing is right.