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.
Living in exile ain't the way to go
It's just another way of dying
A whole lot of faces that you call your own
All those faces are crying
You either run or you hide
Now you slip now you slide
You say you will, but you won't
You either do or you don't
Living in exile, just gotta let it go
You know that it's true
Just like a little child, you're got to crawl away
It's the last chance for you
You either run or you hide
Now you slip now you slide
You say you will, but you won't
You either do or you don't
Somebody's go to see this through
All the world is laughing at you
Somebody's got to sacrifice
If this whole thing's gonna turn out right
You either run or you hide
Now you slip now you slide
Now you will, now you won't
You either do or you don't
It's just another way of dying
A whole lot of faces that you call your own
All those faces are crying
You either run or you hide
Now you slip now you slide
You say you will, but you won't
You either do or you don't
Living in exile, just gotta let it go
You know that it's true
Just like a little child, you're got to crawl away
It's the last chance for you
You either run or you hide
Now you slip now you slide
You say you will, but you won't
You either do or you don't
Somebody's go to see this through
All the world is laughing at you
Somebody's got to sacrifice
If this whole thing's gonna turn out right
You either run or you hide
Now you slip now you slide
Now you will, now you won't
You either do or you don't
Lyrics submitted by lahesperia
You Do or You Don't Lyrics as written by Richard Dashut Lindsey Buckingham
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
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.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.