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.
That night Cutie called a cab, uh huh huh
(baby don't do it)
She left her East Side room so drab uh huh huh
(baby don't do it)
She went out on the town
Knowin' it would make her lover frown
(Death-cab for Cutie)
(Death-cab for Cutie)
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
The cab was racin' through the night, mm mm mm
(baby don't do it)
His eyes in the mirror, keepin' Cutie in sight, uh huh huh
(baby don't do it)
When he saw Cutie, it gave him a thrill
Don't you know, baby curves can kill
(Death-cab for Cutie)
(Death-cab for Cutie)
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Cutie, don't you play with fate
Don't leave your lover alone
If you go out on this date
His heart will turn to stone
Bad girl, Cutie, what have you done, uh huh huh
(baby don't do it)
Slippin' slidin' down-a Highway 31, mm mm mm
(baby don't do it)
The traffic lights changed from green to red
They tried to stop but they both wound up dead
(Death-cab for Cutie)
(Death-cab for Cutie)
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
(baby don't do it)
She left her East Side room so drab uh huh huh
(baby don't do it)
She went out on the town
Knowin' it would make her lover frown
(Death-cab for Cutie)
(Death-cab for Cutie)
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
The cab was racin' through the night, mm mm mm
(baby don't do it)
His eyes in the mirror, keepin' Cutie in sight, uh huh huh
(baby don't do it)
When he saw Cutie, it gave him a thrill
Don't you know, baby curves can kill
(Death-cab for Cutie)
(Death-cab for Cutie)
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Cutie, don't you play with fate
Don't leave your lover alone
If you go out on this date
His heart will turn to stone
Bad girl, Cutie, what have you done, uh huh huh
(baby don't do it)
Slippin' slidin' down-a Highway 31, mm mm mm
(baby don't do it)
The traffic lights changed from green to red
They tried to stop but they both wound up dead
(Death-cab for Cutie)
(Death-cab for Cutie)
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Someone's gonna make you pay your fare
Lyrics submitted by Rudi3
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Ut! The song is great because a band took its name from it?
This is how great the Bonzos were: Even the merest title of one of their songs is like a mighty oak in which a modern musical group can build a nest.
Seriously, though: if you've never heard the Bonzos, take a bit of time to listen to them. You can't go wrong with the Rhino collection. The Bonzos weren't exactly a super group of their time, but they were definitely more than a footnote. They were an integral part of the vibrant network of new artists of the period; warming up for Cream, forging the odd association with the Fab Four, connections with what became the Monty Python, and on and on.
And, most importantly (and a propos this song), the Bonzo deserve our respect for being a rare thing: a novelty band that did almost zero parody. When people say that Weird Al is a god, I roll my eyes and think of the Bonzos. They set a high standard for novelty tunes that few can match. Death Cab is a case in point. Very period, very clever, very unique, very inspired. Also: Featured in the Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour!"
Hey is this where death cab for cutie got their name? i've never heard this song, but i was searching for them...i'm just too absentminded to change 'title' to 'artist' ch ch ch, silly me. oh well, on to better things.
Yeah, this song is where they got their name from.
great song - simply because it gave death cab for cutie its name!
I wonder if Chis Walla, Ben Gibbard, or both of them (being the two who first started the band) decided from the title of this song by Bonzo Dog Band that it would be the name of their band? Either way, it was facinating to k now that song was featured in the show "Do Not Adjust Your Set" that was show which, when John Cleese & others were added, became "Monty Python's Flying Circus", my fave Britcom since 8th grade and the basis for enjoying that series enough to forever sit though endless pledge drives all night to watch "Faulty Towers" marathons and the ledgendary movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail-- watching Monty Python's Flying Circus alone was the catalyst to remember memorable sketches and movies scenes to do them at will to either the delight or annoyance of the people who knew me to love me or lose me based on when I felt acting out lines during times I felt warranted them got the advice of my British Mum doc: Kim, you are a very funny lady, but watch out! Cause one day someone might kill you." As much as that happened like she said that it taught me when it would not I learned to do it when needed and it would not incite murder among those not able to get or didn't want to hear it all the time, as easy for me to slip into a Pythonism much like one liners from Married...With Children or fave SNL sketches. But I think at least Ben and Jason heard that song while watching "Do Not Adjust..." since having seen their documentary, Drive Well, Sleep Carefully, they both admitted their love of BBC comedy, The Office, to admit they both enjoy acting out scenes from that show.
I'm into Death Cab and etc. and interested to hear this song... plus after poking around about them they sound interesting. Where could I hear their music? Pretty obscure... Obscure enough, at least, that I can't find any of their albums in the library system...
Yeah.
My Dad commented on that when I was talking about DCFC (the band) although I've known of (and loved!) the Bonzos for a long time, because my Dad is a massive fan. Anyway, if anyone wants to know about them, there was a anniversary gig that the BBC made. You might find it floating about on the internet.
But yes, I agree that they are a footnote, especially for novelty bands. Parodies aren't particularly inspired, most people could do a parody, the only difficult thing is having the charisma.
And alsooo, this song is lovely. :D.
God bless Vivian Stanshall (RIP), Neil Innes, Rodney "Rhino" Desborough Slater, Roger Ruskin Spear, "Legs" Larry Smith and the other various additional members of the group.
this whole time I thought he was saying "I'm definitely changing" :S I guess im completely wrong (Im such a fool)
I’ve been thinking a lot about; why Death Cab picked this as the 1st single. Because Death Cab for Cutie is a intelligent band, they just don’t make a song for just to have a song.
The reason why they picked this song could be: They don’t want their music to be considered as pop = it’s indie rock! A typical pop song is about 3:45 seconds long, my version of “I will possess your heart” from myspace is 8:35 seconds. It’s not a coincidence that Ben Gibbard sings: “You gotta spend some time love” & “It's like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can't read just yet” = you got to spend some time with their music to understand the contexts!
All your comments about the “bad” intro? There is no doubt about that the intro is essential for the whole context = “You gotta spend some time love, to find love”.
The lyric says it all
Miki Jensen, Qaqortoq, South-Greenland Orsoq@hotmail.com
PS: I just bought the radio-version from iTunes: 3:47 sec. (no intro at all)