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.
If I know, what I know, then no one will watch over you
So someone shouldn't really tell me what I want to know
I know, I owe, and I know that matters don't matter as much
As you think they do
You will only be yourself
When you can never be yourself
And you will only be yourself
When you understand what you know
How long, will we go on with a modern way of letting go,
tell me how long will we go on with the modern way of letting you go?
If I know, what I know, losing isn't learning to be lost
It's learning to know when you're lost
If I know, what I know,
I'll want to make the most of what it seems like
You will only be yourself
You can never be yourself
And you will only be yourself
When you understand what you know
How long, will we go on with a modern way of letting you go,
tell me how long will we go on with the modern way of letting you go?
So someone shouldn't really tell me what I want to know
I know, I owe, and I know that matters don't matter as much
As you think they do
You will only be yourself
When you can never be yourself
And you will only be yourself
When you understand what you know
How long, will we go on with a modern way of letting go,
tell me how long will we go on with the modern way of letting you go?
If I know, what I know, losing isn't learning to be lost
It's learning to know when you're lost
If I know, what I know,
I'll want to make the most of what it seems like
You will only be yourself
You can never be yourself
And you will only be yourself
When you understand what you know
How long, will we go on with a modern way of letting you go,
tell me how long will we go on with the modern way of letting you go?
Lyrics submitted by rahtwinkle
A Modern Way of Letting Go Lyrics as written by Colin Newton Bob Fairfoull
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is amazing,the main riff to it is one with such a punch which has comparisons to the new born riff(muse) i don't really understand what it is about,but i od know it's a great song and one of the best from the album.
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i do agree idlewild always contradict themselves in songs but i see it as them giving both sides of the story and leeting the listener deciede which is the side they agree or disagree with more.
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