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 was done before the start, always mending broken hearts
Making others miserable not knowing who she's hurting
Father said, "This day will be, one for everyone to see"
Is it true you'll follow suit and have you learned a thing?
It's just a selfish way to go, it's safe to say she'll never know
For every person there's a whole life story waiting to be told
When she is happy it's OK, but then these people start to fade
Then we'll just watch her self-destruct as she gets old
She put up defensive shields, to walk through all of life's minefields
All defined by make-up and a car behind she's hiding
"Father do you have to go, left me questions I dont know"
Any answers or even close the life time lie was true
She's gonna move on with her life, and take it one heart at a time
And watch the little girl inside her wait behind as she goes on
But with this black heart she decides, who she'll take in and shove aside
Until the day she sees that everyone is gone
Getting used to people leaving, thinking true love is deceiving
Soon she'll know how lonely it can be
Now was it really worth the pain? A couple pills make her feel sane
While she lives out the story written for the part she is to play
With so much shame for her to hide, there's no more dignity, no pride
Then there will only be dark in her light of day
And she will only see a reflection, of her father's rejection
Nothing will change until she breaks this life, this life-size mirror
Making others miserable not knowing who she's hurting
Father said, "This day will be, one for everyone to see"
Is it true you'll follow suit and have you learned a thing?
It's just a selfish way to go, it's safe to say she'll never know
For every person there's a whole life story waiting to be told
When she is happy it's OK, but then these people start to fade
Then we'll just watch her self-destruct as she gets old
She put up defensive shields, to walk through all of life's minefields
All defined by make-up and a car behind she's hiding
"Father do you have to go, left me questions I dont know"
Any answers or even close the life time lie was true
She's gonna move on with her life, and take it one heart at a time
And watch the little girl inside her wait behind as she goes on
But with this black heart she decides, who she'll take in and shove aside
Until the day she sees that everyone is gone
Getting used to people leaving, thinking true love is deceiving
Soon she'll know how lonely it can be
Now was it really worth the pain? A couple pills make her feel sane
While she lives out the story written for the part she is to play
With so much shame for her to hide, there's no more dignity, no pride
Then there will only be dark in her light of day
And she will only see a reflection, of her father's rejection
Nothing will change until she breaks this life, this life-size mirror
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
What's with this? This song's been out for about a year and still no one has commented? This song is sooo great... Download it/Buy the CD/Do whatever you have to do to hear this song... It's like my new favorite song... Anyway, I think it's about the obvious... Some girl is deserted by someone (possibly her father, or a metaphor for other people, friends, family, etc.) and she's stuck in a stereotype (the story written for the part she has to play), which she has to break (the life-size mirror). In other words, the message is that you have to break away from what people want you to be and go off and do your own thing...