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.
The clock struck midnight
And through my sleeping
I heard a tapping at my door
I looked but nothing lay in the darkness
And so I turned inside once more
To my amazement
There stood a raven
Whose shadow hung above my door
Then through the darkness
It spoke that one word
That I shall hear forever more
Nevermore
Thus quoth the raven, nevermore
And still the raven remains in my room
No matter how much I implore
No words can soothe him
No prayer remove him
And I must hear for evermore
Quoth the raven, nevermore
Thus quoth the raven
Nevermore
And through my sleeping
I heard a tapping at my door
I looked but nothing lay in the darkness
And so I turned inside once more
To my amazement
There stood a raven
Whose shadow hung above my door
Then through the darkness
It spoke that one word
That I shall hear forever more
Nevermore
Thus quoth the raven, nevermore
And still the raven remains in my room
No matter how much I implore
No words can soothe him
No prayer remove him
And I must hear for evermore
Quoth the raven, nevermore
Thus quoth the raven
Nevermore
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
"The clock struck midnight And through my sleeping I heard a tapping at my door I looked but nothing lay in the darkness And so I turned inside once more"
The protagonist is still mourning for the loss of his wife, so while in solitude, he continues to hope he will see his wife again. Whenever he hears something, he rushes at the door, but he keeps getting disappointed (which he knows will happen, he's torturing himself because he is becoming insane).
"To my amazement There stood a raven Whose shadow hung above my door Then through the silence It spoke that one word that I shall hear forever more"
The raven is a metaphor for the protagonist's madness that is trying to devour him. Still mourning and nearly insane, he hopes the mystical raven that descended upon him is some sort of sage of god, so he asks the deity, the raven, if he will ever see his wife again. The raven is his last hope of recovering. Unfortunately, the answer he "shall hear forever more", because the answer is so painful for the protagonist and makes him insane.
"Nevermore Thus quoth the raven, nevermore
And still the raven remains in my room No matter how much I implore No words can soothe him No prayer remove him And I must hear for evermore"
The raven will not leave his room, whatever he tries to make him do so. In other words, his madness will not go away, he is forever lost.
"Quoth the raven, nevermore Thus quoth the raven Nevermore"
No doubt the climax of the song, the word 'nevermore' echoes through our ears, just like it does through his ears for eternity. It is too late, all is lost. This song is about loss and regret, not being able to deal with your inner demons. Truly a wonderful song.
@Mattmerize It's hilarious that this, the most accurate interpretation was downvoted. Anyone who has read the original poem of Edgar Allan Poe will know that this is exactly what the poem, and by extension this song, is about...