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.
Stars leave the morning
Sleep clouds my view
Don't let them come round here
And call to you
I didn't notice
It's a crime too few
I didn't notice
It's a crime to feel
And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I'll be a shadow
In the cedar room
And leave just a memory
Alone with you
I didn't see that
It's a call too soon
I couldn't see that
It's a call to you
And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
Sleep clouds my view
Don't let them come round here
And call to you
I didn't notice
It's a crime too few
I didn't notice
It's a crime to feel
And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I'll be a shadow
In the cedar room
And leave just a memory
Alone with you
I didn't see that
It's a call too soon
I couldn't see that
It's a call to you
And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
Lyrics submitted by I Saw Star Wars, edited by objectselect
Cedar Room Lyrics as written by Jez Williams Andy Williams
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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wow latercomer to the doves. but this song is amazing. wow
Sometimes it's the mystery of the song that makes it so appealing..
This song prety much got me into the Doves. First time I listened to 'Lost Souls' it immediately stood out and by the time it had run its -what, 8 minute?-course, it had wound its way tightly around my brain.
so this is...THE DOVES
I was never the same.
I think now that I listen closely, it actually is, "You could be sitting next to me, and I wouldn't know where." This actually improves that line.
The meaning of this song seems multilayered, but essentially, I think "he" was selfish, disregarded someone's feelings, and took someone for granted, and ironically was the one who left, for some undisclosed reason. Now, he realizes what he had.
I am at a loss on a couple of points in the song. It should be asked, what exactly is a "crime to feel," a "call too soon," and a "cedar room?"
The first two still have me confused--I keep thinking, "Why would having feelings or a need for help be wrong," but I'm obviously missing something.
I have some ideas on the latter, however. Cedar is used to preserve things in drawers and to make shingles. It was also, incidentally, a prime component of the Temple of Solomon. Likely, I think the person being sung to had a certain room full of cedar furniture, wall panels, or something like that, in which the two people of the song spent a lot of time together. I tried a search for symbolic meanings for "cedar" and "cedar room," and only found references to Lebanon, Lebanese Maronite Catholics, and this song, plus info on the tree and uses for its wood. I know my take is a stretch, but that's the only thing I've ever been able to glean.
Meanwhile, this is a great song to sing loudly in the truck, dadgummit!
I mentioned that cedar was used in the Temple of Solomon. I actually just read right now that the Holy of Holies, the room in which the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the ToS, was basically a room constructed entirely of cedar. I'll leave it to the curious to find out more about this room and its contents, and decide whether this has anything to do with the core meaning of the song.
Lonliness and the fact that someone sitting next to you could fully well be a soulmate. It's about finding the perfect person in the point of lonliness whilst struggling with a current relationship that has turned sour.
Most beautiful song ever. bar none. Its generally about realising one's own lonliness even amongst people, and the Cedar room is a metaphor for a place retreat to.. like a sanctuary for the mind.
I Love the Doves!
His former love is dead. He has trouble sleeping ever since. Her spirit/ghost could be there with him, but he's not sensitive to that. Soon he will be dead too, and they will both be spirits together unliving in their old house forever.
Seen the cover images for the single? It's a ghost.<br /> <br /> i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqV,!hcE1iPF9FrrBNlNltnIf!~~_35.JPG<br /> <br /> couldn't find the other one. :(<br /> I'll have to scan mine. It's autographed! :)
Does anyone know what this is about!
i'd like it to be a bit of a love song, it's trying to say maybe i tried to live without you but i couldn't? i love it though...
xxxx
I always thought this song was about a man waking up in the bed of a friend's. He's making excuses for the mistake he has made for ringing up his friend and sleeping with her and whilst doing that he cheats on his girlfriend while she was out of town.