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.
She closes swollen eyes and tries to think
Of a time when things were different
Time brings change for the better so they say
But for her things will always stay the same
They always stayed the same
They always stayed the same
Can you see?
Can you feel that there's someone in there
Never know, never try to
What is worse you just don't care
Can't you see that what you say
Affects the way that she behaves
Turn your eyes upon yourself
Don't look to blame your life on someone else
The faces change but the feelings never do
The yearning need of love distorted and confused
Blinded by the truth by her guilty shame
Trapped in a world that offers no escape
Can there be another way
Can there be another way
Can you see?
Can you feel that there's someone in there
Never know, never try to
What is worse you just don't care
Can't you see that what you say
Affects the way that she behaves
Turn your eyes upon yourself
Don't look to blame your life on someone else
World around us lies and tells us
Everything will be alright, denial
The weight of those that some must bare
While others stare, getting them nowhere
Of a time when things were different
Time brings change for the better so they say
But for her things will always stay the same
They always stayed the same
They always stayed the same
Can you see?
Can you feel that there's someone in there
Never know, never try to
What is worse you just don't care
Can't you see that what you say
Affects the way that she behaves
Turn your eyes upon yourself
Don't look to blame your life on someone else
The faces change but the feelings never do
The yearning need of love distorted and confused
Blinded by the truth by her guilty shame
Trapped in a world that offers no escape
Can there be another way
Can there be another way
Can you see?
Can you feel that there's someone in there
Never know, never try to
What is worse you just don't care
Can't you see that what you say
Affects the way that she behaves
Turn your eyes upon yourself
Don't look to blame your life on someone else
World around us lies and tells us
Everything will be alright, denial
The weight of those that some must bare
While others stare, getting them nowhere
Lyrics submitted by punks_not_dead
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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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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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hey, how cool is this guys lisp, I LOVE IT!!