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.
As I sift and drift through bullshit
That plagues from day to day
Would you ever really notice
That I've gone away
I'm over the wall
Over the hill
Over at your place
I'm over the safety
Over the phone calls
Over the rage
What a mistake
When you've lost the stones to throw
They're the ones I found to make a fire
And all the lonely souls that say so, get fired
And I'm over the wall
Over the hill
Over at your place
(Just can't seem to get out of the way)
Over the safety
Over the phone calls
Over the rage
What a mistake
What a mistake
What a mistake
What a mistake
What a mistake
And I've never been lost
I've never been found
And it makes no difference
If I'm around
(Just can't seem to get out of the way)
There's never been words
There's never been actions
There's never been promises that I've never kept
(Just can't seem to get out of the way)
I'm over the wall
Over the hill
Over at your place
(Just can't seem to get out of this)
Pulling on the threads
I'm always pulling on the threads
I'm always pulling on the threads
I'm always pulling, Wow!
What a mistake
Mistake
As I sift and drift through bullshit
That plagues from day to day
Would you ever really notice
I'm gone away?
That plagues from day to day
Would you ever really notice
That I've gone away
I'm over the wall
Over the hill
Over at your place
I'm over the safety
Over the phone calls
Over the rage
What a mistake
When you've lost the stones to throw
They're the ones I found to make a fire
And all the lonely souls that say so, get fired
And I'm over the wall
Over the hill
Over at your place
(Just can't seem to get out of the way)
Over the safety
Over the phone calls
Over the rage
What a mistake
What a mistake
What a mistake
What a mistake
What a mistake
And I've never been lost
I've never been found
And it makes no difference
If I'm around
(Just can't seem to get out of the way)
There's never been words
There's never been actions
There's never been promises that I've never kept
(Just can't seem to get out of the way)
I'm over the wall
Over the hill
Over at your place
(Just can't seem to get out of this)
Pulling on the threads
I'm always pulling on the threads
I'm always pulling on the threads
I'm always pulling, Wow!
What a mistake
Mistake
As I sift and drift through bullshit
That plagues from day to day
Would you ever really notice
I'm gone away?
Lyrics submitted by hardcor_toonz
Mistake Lyrics as written by Ian Thornley
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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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/
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
this is just a great song... that riff is killer at the beginning.
as to what i means, i relate... bascially he messed something up with a girl by overthinking and worried... hence 'over the rage'. he realizes he was angry over nothing.