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 need perspective 'cause I'm facing the wall
I need perspective 'cause I'm not that tall
I need perspective heard the trumpet call
Don't trust my eyes want to know where things fall
I need perspective party time for the newly wed
I need perspective colors ran as the images bled
I need perspective like confetti on the flower bed
Don't trust my eyes priest crying he's got fire in his head
Oh Gaia, if that's your name
Treat you like dirt, but I don't wanna blame
Oh Gaia, the wind heats the fire and blows the ash away
I need perspective sitting in a long long hall
I need perspective staring at the white white wall
I need perspective waiting for the phone to call
Don't trust my eyes there's one thing I've got to tell you all
I need perspective to see through red red skies
I need perspective to carry merchandise
I need perspective I don't trust my eyes
Don't trust my eyes and I don't like surprise
Oh Gaia, if that's your name
Treat you like dirt, but I don't wanna blame
Oh Gaia, the wind heats the fire and blows the ash away
I used to be industrial giant
Sitting in a garden full of chemical plant
Trying very hard to get you off my mind
Acting like any man
Taking you for everything I can
Just the same, the same as all my kind
So blind (I need perspective)
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective 'cause I'm not that tall
I need perspective heard the trumpet call
Don't trust my eyes want to know where things fall
I need perspective party time for the newly wed
I need perspective colors ran as the images bled
I need perspective like confetti on the flower bed
Don't trust my eyes priest crying he's got fire in his head
Oh Gaia, if that's your name
Treat you like dirt, but I don't wanna blame
Oh Gaia, the wind heats the fire and blows the ash away
I need perspective sitting in a long long hall
I need perspective staring at the white white wall
I need perspective waiting for the phone to call
Don't trust my eyes there's one thing I've got to tell you all
I need perspective to see through red red skies
I need perspective to carry merchandise
I need perspective I don't trust my eyes
Don't trust my eyes and I don't like surprise
Oh Gaia, if that's your name
Treat you like dirt, but I don't wanna blame
Oh Gaia, the wind heats the fire and blows the ash away
I used to be industrial giant
Sitting in a garden full of chemical plant
Trying very hard to get you off my mind
Acting like any man
Taking you for everything I can
Just the same, the same as all my kind
So blind (I need perspective)
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
I need perspective
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Light Up The Sky
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