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.
False pretense
A lack of resonance
A derisive sentiment
And confidence.
These bonds were always fake
Crafted for safety's sake.
But pasted wings,
And foil rings
Do not an angel make.
I see you left me with your,
Your last word.
It's ringing,
With the noteless shrill of jealousy,
And the claims of imperfection,
And the crying out for,
The things that you deserve.
But your voice is never audible
Beneath the anger in your words
It's ringing,
It's breaking me.
You can't belittle this,
This could change everything.
This one is mine to believe.
This is unparalleled,
A grace that's like gravity,
A clarity I've never seen.
I see you've left me with your,
Your last word
It's ringing
With the noteless shrill of jealousy,
And the claims of imperfection
And the crying out for,
The things that you deserve.
But your voice is never audible
Beneath the anger in your words,
It's ringing.
It's breaking me.
But the hottest words can cauterize,
And in anger, there's just wasted time,
So your last words, just another,
I won't hear.
A lack of resonance
A derisive sentiment
And confidence.
These bonds were always fake
Crafted for safety's sake.
But pasted wings,
And foil rings
Do not an angel make.
I see you left me with your,
Your last word.
It's ringing,
With the noteless shrill of jealousy,
And the claims of imperfection,
And the crying out for,
The things that you deserve.
But your voice is never audible
Beneath the anger in your words
It's ringing,
It's breaking me.
You can't belittle this,
This could change everything.
This one is mine to believe.
This is unparalleled,
A grace that's like gravity,
A clarity I've never seen.
I see you've left me with your,
Your last word
It's ringing
With the noteless shrill of jealousy,
And the claims of imperfection
And the crying out for,
The things that you deserve.
But your voice is never audible
Beneath the anger in your words,
It's ringing.
It's breaking me.
But the hottest words can cauterize,
And in anger, there's just wasted time,
So your last words, just another,
I won't hear.
Lyrics submitted by ScreamingInfidelity
The Bradley Lyrics as written by Christopher Andrew Carrabba Chad J. Neptune
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing 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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
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.
but pasted wings and foil rings do not an angel make
that is one of the best lines i've ever heard in my life. just think about it. it's wonderful.