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.
Someone has switched it out of all this
So we put into a bottle
A small parchment tied with band
Til we noticed, quite conclusively
A raw and breathing pattern
Being scribbled out by hands in the middle of the sand
So I dig, and I dug
Until I couldn't dug no more
I have reached God's island shore, thank God it's home
And then pound this little mound
Without needin' no kettle drum
If I'm your prisoner of intolerant, that is alright
I'm going to get you
I'm going to get you, Anne
Only alone
You don't know what it's like
Or maybe you do
Maybe you do
So we put into a bottle
A small parchment tied with band
Til we noticed, quite conclusively
A raw and breathing pattern
Being scribbled out by hands in the middle of the sand
So I dig, and I dug
Until I couldn't dug no more
I have reached God's island shore, thank God it's home
And then pound this little mound
Without needin' no kettle drum
If I'm your prisoner of intolerant, that is alright
I'm going to get you
I'm going to get you, Anne
Only alone
You don't know what it's like
Or maybe you do
Maybe you do
Lyrics submitted by martinobrien, edited by MCSMeister
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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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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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Thanks a lot for working on these lyrics, I think you are the closest attempt I have seen.
I think instead of pound these little mounds I think he might say And I vow to get along with out needin' no/a
~thanks for the appreciation Awhislyle,Ii just revised them a little bit and now the lyrics should be more accurate. this is the most challenging song I've ever tried to figure out.
Tom I just wish you hadn't bothered<br /> So we put into a bottle, <br /> this small parchment tied with band<br /> <br /> Till we noticed quite conclusively<br /> a writhing breathing pattern <br /> being scribbled out by hands <br /> in the middle of the sand<br /> <br /> so i dig, <br /> and i dug<br /> till i couldn't dug no more<br /> <br /> I have reached God's island shore, <br /> thank God it's home<br /> And then how would ya get along <br /> without me knocking along?<br /> I'm you prisoner of this office without Tom around<br /> <br /> im gonna get you<br /> im gonna get you anne/baby<br /> im gonna get you<br /> im gonna get you anne/baby<br /> <br /> leave me alone<br /> you don't ??? me<br /> thinking of me dead<br /> baby/maybe you do dododo<br /> die i i ie<br /> <br /> i i ie<br /> do do do<br /> du dururu<br /> <br /> the talk<br /> all the talk of walking out/now<br /> it's all around<br /> im on top off<br /> aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall<br /> <br /> all around<br /> all<br /> all~<br /> i wont stop thinking/talking about it?<br /> ???<br />
Yep obscenely tough lyrics to even attempt to figure out...catchy song though
Great transcription!