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.
Well, you play that tarantella, all the hounds will start to roar
The boys all go to hell and then the Cubans hit the floor
They drive along the pipeline, they tango 'til they're sore
They take apart their nightmares and they leave them by the door
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
And send me off to bed for evermore
Make sure they play my theme song, I guess daisies will have to do
Just get me to New Orleans and paint shadows on the pews
Turn the spit on that pig and kick the drum and let me down
Put my clarinet beneath your bed till I get back in town
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
So send me off to bed for evermore
Just make sure she's all in calico and the color of a doll
Wave the flag on Cadillac day, and a skillet on the wall
Cut me a switch or hold your breath 'til the sun goes down
Write my name on the hood, send me off to another town
And just let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or Better on a blanket by the stairs
Tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Will you send me off to bed for evermore?
Fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Send me off to bed for evermore
Send me off to bed for evermore
The boys all go to hell and then the Cubans hit the floor
They drive along the pipeline, they tango 'til they're sore
They take apart their nightmares and they leave them by the door
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
And send me off to bed for evermore
Make sure they play my theme song, I guess daisies will have to do
Just get me to New Orleans and paint shadows on the pews
Turn the spit on that pig and kick the drum and let me down
Put my clarinet beneath your bed till I get back in town
Let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
So send me off to bed for evermore
Just make sure she's all in calico and the color of a doll
Wave the flag on Cadillac day, and a skillet on the wall
Cut me a switch or hold your breath 'til the sun goes down
Write my name on the hood, send me off to another town
And just let me fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or Better on a blanket by the stairs
Tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Will you send me off to bed for evermore?
Fall out of the window with confetti in my hair
Deal out Jacks or better on a blanket by the stairs
I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past
Send me off to bed for evermore
Send me off to bed for evermore
Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Tango till They're Sore Lyrics as written by Thomas Alan Waits
Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC
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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he wants a party for his funeral. he's crazy drunk and telling a story about himself in the scattered and unfocused way a drunk guy would. The sleazy gambling night and mysterious shady characters are his idea of happiness, and death, as well, it seems.
"This song is about a guy who falls out of a window on New Year's Eve, and the only thing that breaks his fall is that fact that he has a little confetti in his hair." - Tom Waits on David Letterman, 1986
I LOVE this song. It's amazing.
And this is what an artist should do. Answer with symbolism. That happens a lot with Tom Waits, if you take him literally, it's a light laugh, if you go in deeper, it's all bittersweet and introspective.
Well spoken. That is what I have been saying about Tom for years when I introduce new people to one of the greatest songwriters of all time
always loved a lot of his lyrics This being one of them: "Fall out of the window with confetti in my hair Deal out Jacks or Better on a blanket by the stairs I'll tell you all my secrets, but I lie about my past"
This is one of the best songs eve, IMO. It's classy and sleaze at the same time, just excellent. Reminds me of NO so much.
This is what I want at my funeral. A heady mix of vaudeville, regret and vigour.
The way that he sings "Put my clarinet beneath your bed 'til I get back in town" always sends shivers down my spine.
I think it's about a guy who wants to die partying.
Make sure they play my theme song I guess daisies’ll have to do
Quick change of subject as a drunk person one do.
Then... Just get me to New Orleans And paint shadows on the pews
I love the way the clarinet goes off into a wonderful melody at this time. The home of jazz.
A masterpiece of a song that gets me emotional many times when I listen to it. It’s just so brilliant in every way.