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'm out of luck, out of love
Gotta photograph, picture of
Passion killer, you're too much
You're the only one I want to touch
I see your face every time I dream
On every page, every magazine
So wild and free so far from me
You're all I want, my fantasy
Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown
Oh oh, look what you've done
Photograph, I don't want your
Photograph, I don't need your
Photograph, all I've got is a photograph
But it's not enough
I'd be your lover, if you were there
Put your hurt on me, if you dare
Such a woman, you got style
You make every man feel like a child, oh
You got some kinda hold on me
You're all wrapped up in mystery
So wild and free, so far from me
You're all I want, my fantasy
Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown
Oh oh, look what you've done
I gotta have you
Photograph, I don't want your
Photograph, I don't need your
Photograph, all I've got is a photograph
You've gone straight to my head
Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown
Oh oh, look what you've done
I gotta have you
Photograph, I don't want your
Photograph, I don't need your
Photograph, all I've got is a photograph
I want to touch you
Oh
Photograph
Photograph, your photograph
Photograph
Photograph, I need only your
Photograph, I'm out of love
Photograph, I'm out of love
Photograph, you're the only one
Photograph, I want to touch
Gotta photograph, picture of
Passion killer, you're too much
You're the only one I want to touch
I see your face every time I dream
On every page, every magazine
So wild and free so far from me
You're all I want, my fantasy
Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown
Oh oh, look what you've done
Photograph, I don't want your
Photograph, I don't need your
Photograph, all I've got is a photograph
But it's not enough
I'd be your lover, if you were there
Put your hurt on me, if you dare
Such a woman, you got style
You make every man feel like a child, oh
You got some kinda hold on me
You're all wrapped up in mystery
So wild and free, so far from me
You're all I want, my fantasy
Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown
Oh oh, look what you've done
I gotta have you
Photograph, I don't want your
Photograph, I don't need your
Photograph, all I've got is a photograph
You've gone straight to my head
Oh, look what you've done to this rock 'n' roll clown
Oh oh, look what you've done
I gotta have you
Photograph, I don't want your
Photograph, I don't need your
Photograph, all I've got is a photograph
I want to touch you
Oh
Photograph
Photograph, your photograph
Photograph
Photograph, I need only your
Photograph, I'm out of love
Photograph, I'm out of love
Photograph, you're the only one
Photograph, I want to touch
Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21
Photograph Lyrics as written by Robert John Lange Peter Andrew Willis
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Impossible to sing, even Joe says he struggles with it on occasion. It's about a guy who loves a girl, but can't be with her and only has her photograph.