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.
Time for the final bow
Rows of deserted houses all
Our stable mates highway bound
Give us our measly sum
Getting the air inside my lungs
Is heavenly starting out
With nothing but
Crippling doubt
We'll rest easy
Justified
Suffered a swift defeat
I'll endure countless repeats
The gift of memories
An awful curse
With age it just
Gets much worse
But I won't mind
I won't mind
Rows of deserted houses all
Our stable mates highway bound
Give us our measly sum
Getting the air inside my lungs
Is heavenly starting out
With nothing but
Crippling doubt
We'll rest easy
Justified
Suffered a swift defeat
I'll endure countless repeats
The gift of memories
An awful curse
With age it just
Gets much worse
But I won't mind
I won't mind
Lyrics submitted by Si_duffers
Stable Song Lyrics as written by Benjamin Gibbard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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i think its just about dealing with whatever you have to, how sometimes things are so good just breathing and simplicity are heavenly, sometimes you have nothing to look forward to but countless repeats, you realize it's never going to end, but eventually you just accept it anyway. learn to appreciate the little things and be able to rest easy despite whatevers going on.
It was so weird, the song started playing and I didn't really realize it was Stability until I started singing along unconsiously. Then I went, "Whoa, awesome love this song".
i'm 100% positive that in "Stability" ben says 'Time for the final bout***' not 'bow'. in "Stable Song" its harder to distinguish if he says bow or bout. personally, i think he says bout, and based off of groovitude's $0.02, it probably should be bout.
beautiful song nonetheless. death cab=only band that matters.
same song as stability, but shortened to 3:30 for plans.
best song on the album... love this version as much as the original, aaand as much as i love lengthy interludes, this one makes for a better on the go listen.
I had the biggest grin on my face when I realized what song this was.
Sorry guys, I just don't like it as much as the first.
I think I enjoyed the fact that Stability involved a lot of piano work. And here is Stable Song, which uses a guitar in the piano's place.
Had they just taken Stability and shortened it to this length, it would have been the perfect song.
The one thing I really enjoy about this version, though, is the full band effect at the end.
This song really played a trick with me. The first time I was listening to this song, I caught myself singing along and I freaked out - I had no idea how I knew the lyrics until you just pointed out. Holy crap! Kind of lame that he put it on because it's lacking what Stability had but it does give the album a familiar feel - as usual.
The meaning of Stable Song or Stability is really elusive...
When I saw 'Stable mates' in the lyrics I got into thinking about oppressed farmers... No? I can only guess...
Which version of Stability I prefer depends on my mood really. If it's late and I'm in a quiet We Have The Facts mood, I'll turn on the original and let the entire 12 minutes wash over me. It's minimalist, it's sleepy and it's soothing.
If I'm in the bigger mood for an epic singalong, I'll put on Stable Song with the guitar and the full band effect at the end.
They both work. :)