This song, from the Diver Down album, is essentially the same as “Last Night,” a song recorded for consideration on Van Halen. However, the lyrics are completely changed. The lyrics to this version are reported to be a tongue-in-cheek stab at Clint Eastwood.
Dave: “It’s like all those Westerns where there’s some kind of dissonant sound in the background. Like they’ll have one harmonica that hits only one note – eeeeeeeeee – and that’s when you know the hero is coming to town or something terrible is going to happen. And what happens is Edward will come up with a song or a riff and then immediately I’ll hear it and I’ll know right away what the scenario is.”
Eddie: “The solo was just loose, fun, craziness. I play it better every night than I did on the record, but who cares? It has feeling. Actually that was a really old song.”
Lyrics
Somewhere, lost it in a turn
Trouble seems to fit him like a glove.
First come, First served, he’s serving it back,
Travels light, without a pack, without love.
He comes from nowhere, returns on his own,
late for the hanging, yes he’s heading for the moon
Hang ’em High.
Leather, across his thighs,
Blasting out the night, he’s terrified to drive.
One eye on the road, crashed upon his head,
One ear to the ground, he’s listening to the dead.
He comes from nowhere, returns on his own,
late for the hanging, yes he’s heading for the moon
Hang ’em High.
Alone to himself, he’s laughing up his sleeve,
Looking back in anger, the city is relieved.
Vision of Light,
Child of the night,
Passing by