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 tuned in to the tv once again today
Watch the news to educate my mind
The destruction and the chaos that confronted me
It's our world caught in it's own demise
(As I sat there I began to cry)
The situation worsens every day that goes by
(And I thought how can this be, Lord why)
So heavy on me all those that are hurting inside
If I had a dollar for every heart that's broken
For every word of love unspoken
For every childhood dream that's never realize
If I had a penny for all the wrong we're doing
And all the ways we could be moving on
Maybe I could buy you paradise
Just to see some hope in your eyes
Sometimes life it seems a bit too much for me
More things we must survive on top of all that we had before
Broken hearts, broken homes, kids abused left alone
So many in the streets, homeless with no food to eat
(I know God hears us crying out)
Run to Him for all the answers, don't turn away
(If we look to Him there is no doubt)
He'll give us all the help we need, he knows the way, still if I
If I had a dollar for every heart that's broken
For every word of love unspoken
For every childhood dream that's never realize
If I had a penny for all the wrong we're doing
And all the ways we could be moving on
Maybe I could buy you paradise
Just to see some hope in your eyes
There are so many troubles, God knows what we need to do
He has us in His hands, knows what we are going through
Silver and gold have I none, what I have I give to you
His word says we can make it and I know His word is true
Here's to the hurting souls and for all the broken hearts
All those who've been abused, who's life has been torn apart
I don't have all the answers, what I have I gladly give
It's in him there is life, if in him we live and if I
If I had a dollar for every heart that's broken
For every word of love unspoken
For every childhood dream that's never realize
If I had a penny for all the wrong we're doing
And all the ways we could be moving on
Maybe I could buy you paradise
Just to see some hope in your eyes
Watch the news to educate my mind
The destruction and the chaos that confronted me
It's our world caught in it's own demise
(As I sat there I began to cry)
The situation worsens every day that goes by
(And I thought how can this be, Lord why)
So heavy on me all those that are hurting inside
If I had a dollar for every heart that's broken
For every word of love unspoken
For every childhood dream that's never realize
If I had a penny for all the wrong we're doing
And all the ways we could be moving on
Maybe I could buy you paradise
Just to see some hope in your eyes
Sometimes life it seems a bit too much for me
More things we must survive on top of all that we had before
Broken hearts, broken homes, kids abused left alone
So many in the streets, homeless with no food to eat
(I know God hears us crying out)
Run to Him for all the answers, don't turn away
(If we look to Him there is no doubt)
He'll give us all the help we need, he knows the way, still if I
If I had a dollar for every heart that's broken
For every word of love unspoken
For every childhood dream that's never realize
If I had a penny for all the wrong we're doing
And all the ways we could be moving on
Maybe I could buy you paradise
Just to see some hope in your eyes
There are so many troubles, God knows what we need to do
He has us in His hands, knows what we are going through
Silver and gold have I none, what I have I give to you
His word says we can make it and I know His word is true
Here's to the hurting souls and for all the broken hearts
All those who've been abused, who's life has been torn apart
I don't have all the answers, what I have I gladly give
It's in him there is life, if in him we live and if I
If I had a dollar for every heart that's broken
For every word of love unspoken
For every childhood dream that's never realize
If I had a penny for all the wrong we're doing
And all the ways we could be moving on
Maybe I could buy you paradise
Just to see some hope in your eyes
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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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