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.
He said the way my blue eyes shined
Put those Georgia stars to shame that night
I said, "That's a lie"
Just a boy in a Chevy truck
That had a tendency of gettin' stuck
On backroads at night
And I was right there beside him all summer long
And then the time we woke up to find that summer gone
But when you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me
September saw a month of tears
And thanking God that you weren't here
To see me like that
But in a box beneath my bed
Is a letter that you never read
From three summers back
It's hard not to find it all a little bittersweet
And lookin' back on all of that, it's nice to believe
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me
And I'm back for the first time since then
I'm standing on your street
And there's a letter left on your doorstep
And the first thing that you'll read
Is when you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
Someday you'll turn your radio on
I hope it takes you back to that place
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me
Oh, think of me
Mmm
He said the way my blue eyes shined
Put those Georgia stars to shame that night
I said, "That's a lie"
Put those Georgia stars to shame that night
I said, "That's a lie"
Just a boy in a Chevy truck
That had a tendency of gettin' stuck
On backroads at night
And I was right there beside him all summer long
And then the time we woke up to find that summer gone
But when you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me
September saw a month of tears
And thanking God that you weren't here
To see me like that
But in a box beneath my bed
Is a letter that you never read
From three summers back
It's hard not to find it all a little bittersweet
And lookin' back on all of that, it's nice to believe
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me
And I'm back for the first time since then
I'm standing on your street
And there's a letter left on your doorstep
And the first thing that you'll read
Is when you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
Someday you'll turn your radio on
I hope it takes you back to that place
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me
Oh, think of me
Mmm
He said the way my blue eyes shined
Put those Georgia stars to shame that night
I said, "That's a lie"
Lyrics submitted by Shattered Dreams
Tim McGraw Lyrics as written by Taylor Swift Liz Rose
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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this song definitly is one all girls can relate to..to me it reflects my summer/love life perfectly..just change a few words and boom! its my life lol
I love this song. It makes me think of the summer I just had.
i love this song. september always changes things. i love how this song is really easy to relate to. i love her voice, the words, everything!
the story of my summer.. i miss it. I hope he thinks of me.
This song reminds me a lot of Deanna Carter's song Strawberry Wine. I swear, it's the same thing only ten years later. I'm not saying that either are bad songs, they are just very similar. Anyone else?
I do agree with CaramelMacchiato that it reminda me of Strawberry Wine. It's just summer love lost.. and how September changes things. "My biggest fear was September, when he had to go" and I seriously feel the same way. Even though it's august.. summer has just ended and so has my 8 month relationship.. first love. it sucks. and my favorite song to sing was its your love and my best friend
That's just it, though, because they don't really have to end. They just get so hard, depending on distance and fitting each other into their lives and other things. I mean, that's my opinion, but (if it's not first love, if you actually seriously want to be with this person) why let the ending of summer end it?<br /> But it always happens. and I guess things happen for reason =]<br /> I agree, too.
This song was love at first listen for me. Hahaha, really!
All about a summer love, that went away in september.
I just really love the memory parts "when you think tim mcgraw...""when you think happiness..." Etc...
Its great, and really easy to relate too.
This is honestly my favorite song! The music video is great too, i love ones that follow along with an actual story, and that girl is gorgeous.hah, anyway...I don't think i can ever get over it, i love this song... best country one
Well it's obvious through the words exactly what the song is about.
I adore it. I think a lot of teenage girls, including me, can relate to it and picture that one boy in our heads. :o) It's really sweet.
I also love the fact that she's really 16 years old too. Just a little thang! And she has an amazing ability and is the cutest!
I love this song!!!!!!