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 feel like I'm lost somewhere in the middle of nowhere
And when I open my eyes, I got no place to stare
Maybe I woke up too early, so I go back to bed,
My body's weak and I'm miles away
I won't go to work today, today is like just yesterday
And I ain't gonna take that winding way to get my own happiness
Cuz I'm insane and my chains are hurting me
I think I'm tired of this, Tired of this ...
Living in a world of make believe,
That's the way you make things go
And I ain't gonna let you get me
So I quit and I return to my self-made universe
Cause you're not in it
Without your pills and your chemicals my pleasure is all
You pretend to be free in this beautiful world,
I leave it all to you
You can destroy it, break it in two
Living in a world of make believe,
That's the way you make things go
And I ain't gonna let you get me
I stop working and start running, but I run from you
I stop running and start dreaming, but I dream of you
I stop dreaming and start flying, now I'm flying over you
Living in a world of make believe,
That's the way you make things go
And I ain't gonna let you get me
And when I open my eyes, I got no place to stare
Maybe I woke up too early, so I go back to bed,
My body's weak and I'm miles away
I won't go to work today, today is like just yesterday
And I ain't gonna take that winding way to get my own happiness
Cuz I'm insane and my chains are hurting me
I think I'm tired of this, Tired of this ...
Living in a world of make believe,
That's the way you make things go
And I ain't gonna let you get me
So I quit and I return to my self-made universe
Cause you're not in it
Without your pills and your chemicals my pleasure is all
You pretend to be free in this beautiful world,
I leave it all to you
You can destroy it, break it in two
Living in a world of make believe,
That's the way you make things go
And I ain't gonna let you get me
I stop working and start running, but I run from you
I stop running and start dreaming, but I dream of you
I stop dreaming and start flying, now I'm flying over you
Living in a world of make believe,
That's the way you make things go
And I ain't gonna let you get me
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
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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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Great version of a great song,
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