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.
I wouldn't bother to look if I was sure that you were happy together
But I've seen the way she covers her chest up as if it was a national treasure
Looks are the first weapon
Charm is the second
I reckon that she doesn't have much of either
You don't need her
It's better that you come and see about me.
No, I won't get bored and I won't get tired
I've already spent years at the back of the line
So another six months won't make a difference to me now
Soon enough we'll be the
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
All the men came back from six years' fighting
To the beige row of houses and the prospect of spending
Their Saturday nights in
From here to eternity
And it wasn't that summer their wives didn't love them
They had the run of the house
And with nothing to do on a night
One thing led to something else.
No, I won't get bored and I won't get tired
I've already spent years at the back of the line
So another six months won't make a difference to me now
Soon enough we'll be the
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Behind your back in the supermarket
She's got his number and she's not afraid to use it
I want to know, exactly what you, exactly what you intend to do about it
Because you can't keep your eye on her all the time
And you can't trust a word that she says any more
Can't trust a word that she says any more
Can't trust a word that she says any more
No, I won't get bored and I won't get tired
I've already spent years at the back of the line
So another six months won't make a difference to me now
Don't tell me what price salvation
I have to take it anyway
Can I get it on credit or something?
Godspeed the day, godspeed the day when we're the
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Left alive
Left alive
But I've seen the way she covers her chest up as if it was a national treasure
Looks are the first weapon
Charm is the second
I reckon that she doesn't have much of either
You don't need her
It's better that you come and see about me.
No, I won't get bored and I won't get tired
I've already spent years at the back of the line
So another six months won't make a difference to me now
Soon enough we'll be the
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
All the men came back from six years' fighting
To the beige row of houses and the prospect of spending
Their Saturday nights in
From here to eternity
And it wasn't that summer their wives didn't love them
They had the run of the house
And with nothing to do on a night
One thing led to something else.
No, I won't get bored and I won't get tired
I've already spent years at the back of the line
So another six months won't make a difference to me now
Soon enough we'll be the
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Behind your back in the supermarket
She's got his number and she's not afraid to use it
I want to know, exactly what you, exactly what you intend to do about it
Because you can't keep your eye on her all the time
And you can't trust a word that she says any more
Can't trust a word that she says any more
Can't trust a word that she says any more
No, I won't get bored and I won't get tired
I've already spent years at the back of the line
So another six months won't make a difference to me now
Don't tell me what price salvation
I have to take it anyway
Can I get it on credit or something?
Godspeed the day, godspeed the day when we're the
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Only lovers, only lovers left alive
Left alive
Left alive
Lyrics submitted by celticblade
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Great version of a great song,
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I think this song is sung from the point of view of a woman in the 1940s. Her lover is married and has just returned from fighting to post-war Britain (All the men came back...beige row of houses...). She is telling her lover that she will wait for him even unto death (despite the song title). She then tries to persuade him to leave his 'unfaithful' wife, summng up how difficult it can be to wait for one's love.
very 40s/50s feel bout this band - i like!
i feel the 1940s feel, but it also has a modern touch especially when talking about supermarket and having his number. i feel like its waiting for a guy to leave his partner for you because you have the stability he needs.