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've got you rainbows seen your sunbeams
I know a place where heaven breathes
And it's through her window
Your baby girl's window
I know you're happy where you are
Singing to the moon talking to the stars
Through her window
Your baby girl's window
There's fingermarks around her soul
But your laughter fills the hole
Through her window
Your baby girl's window
Aaah I wish you would stay
Aaah to see what she made of herself
People say you were gone too soon
I see your face when flowers bloom
Through her window
Your baby girl's window
I'm looking for the words to say
Something to take her pain away
Through her window
Aaah I wish you would stay
Aaah to see what she made of herself
I know a place where heaven breathes
And it's through her window
Your baby girl's window
I know you're happy where you are
Singing to the moon talking to the stars
Through her window
Your baby girl's window
There's fingermarks around her soul
But your laughter fills the hole
Through her window
Your baby girl's window
Aaah I wish you would stay
Aaah to see what she made of herself
People say you were gone too soon
I see your face when flowers bloom
Through her window
Your baby girl's window
I'm looking for the words to say
Something to take her pain away
Through her window
Aaah I wish you would stay
Aaah to see what she made of herself
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No, this song isn't about his unborn baby, that is the song 'Grace' on the album 'I've Been Expecting You' though I wouldn't have blamed anyone for thinking that. This song was written for the actor Richard Beckinsale, who died of a heart attack at the age of 31, leaving his young daughter (the actress Kate Beckinsale) behind, although she was 5 years old when he died. He also had an older daughter (Samantha Beckinsale). I think they may have been family friends of Robbie's or something but I'm not sure. I think it's a very touching song and is full of really lovely phrases eg."I see your face when flowers bloom." The baby girl can see her father in heaven through her window and he can see her. My username is from the first line (I know my name says 'caught your rainbows' instead of 'got' but it always sounded more like 'caught' to me.)
It's so strange that nobody comment on this one, it's one of my favourites in "Life Thru A Lens". I would like somebody to post if they know the story behind the song, I heard it's about losing a parent, but I'm not sure. Anyway, it's so sweet and sad...
Hi Gabigs. This song indeed is really beautiful, but it's not about losing a parent. Rob still is lucky to have both parents caring about him, but there are rumours this song is about a never born child.
As you may know Rob's been engaged to Nicole Appleton already a while ago, and at some point she was pregnant from him. He was enlighted to become a dad, but onfortunately her 'work' (she was singer from All Saints at the time) pushed her to do an abortion because of her career.
She had done it, and Rob was very confused and sad about it, this song would be about the never born baby.
If you look closely at the lyrics, you can find some references like of course the words 'Baby girl', 'I know you're happy where you are', 'People say you were gone to soon'.
As Rob is a genious songwriter he can package his lyrics full with 'hints' and stuff, so you have to read them about 10 times before you eventually will get a clue.
Hi there EstrellaWeb!!. Yes, I agree that Robbie is a genious and his lyrics touch me in a way that make me want to know the background, you know. It's so so special. But (unlike others) he's not the kind of songwriter that talk about his songs, so I've never heard him talking about the actual meanings.
I knew about Nicole (that story is so so sad for Rob), and it would really make sense if this song talked about it (i.e. I know that "Grace" was the name Rob wanted to name the child), but I am not sure about this one, since it was released in '97, I think before he even knew Nicole...so I don't know.
Thank you so much for the reply!! :)
Thanks CaughtYourRainbows, your explanation makes a lot of sense. The song still moves me after all these years.