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.
Held down, strangled and abused
Cut down to half a member
Left with his hand tied
Everything points in the wrong direction
All the joy disappeared
The negative has penetrated
Once he was in control
What's left, the faintest laughter
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
Feeling pressure from the fold
He believes the dream is over
Drained blue eye, scorching fire
The whole meaning becomes undone
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
Cut down to half a member
Left with his hand tied
Everything points in the wrong direction
All the joy disappeared
The negative has penetrated
Once he was in control
What's left, the faintest laughter
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
Feeling pressure from the fold
He believes the dream is over
Drained blue eye, scorching fire
The whole meaning becomes undone
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
We're out of focus, we've lost control
I blame our ego and you call me names
You're told that you are trapped below
And dark signs helped to prove
You gotta reach further
For what life shall provide
Lyrics submitted by FreakyNipples69
Dark Signs Lyrics as written by Bjoern Ingvar Gelotte Anders Par Friden
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It is about someone being trapped in hopelessness and having no desire to move on and try to find something better. He feels he's been beatdown so much he can't get back up. "Held down, strangled and abused, Cut down to half a member" "All the joy disappeared, The negative has penetrated." But then he realizes what he could gain by trying to make best of what he has and by reaching further for what life can provide.. "You got to reach further, for what life shall provide"
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hey pals, why this room is empty,.....this song is great...dont u think so? or u havnt heard yet?
No, great song....
Ahhh damn i love in flames.... never gets old... allow me to give it a go at my thoughts on this song ;). I see it as more comentary on society. Almost verything that we see in the world points us in the wrong direction, and the songs seems to focus on that. Song talks about how when ppl try to make a diffence, they are just laughed at ( we're out of focus, lost control-- that whole bit).
The song contiunes to say how life isn't easy, and good stuff doesn't just come to you.. "you got to reach further for what life shall provide".
THEN! Its got soem peer presure in it, "pressure from the fold", and then 'he' believe the dream is over... pretty true if you ask me. Summing it up- Society bad. Individuallity, good.
This song rocks!...dont mind me,im new and im figuring out how to work this thing!In Flames Rock!
To me it seems like he's stuck in something he doesn't want to be in and is looking for a way to get out.
"You’re told that you’re trapped below And dark signs help to prove You got to reach further for what life shall provide"
Feeling pressure from the fold He believes the dream is over Drained blue eye - scorching fire The whole meaning becomes undone. "
Have you ever had someone tell you that you were "headed in the wrong direction" and then point out so called "dark signs" to help them try to prove their point. Where that someone says that your headed in the wrong direction and point to the people you hang out with, the music you listen to, or maybe what you believe?...and then it makes you feel like you have been "Cut down to half a member" because you are different?... and then you just have to try harder and harder in life to suceed to make sure they are not right... Thats what this song is beginning to remind me of. Of course I've listened to this song like 25 times and about every 3rd time I listen to it , I get a different meaning. I just got through listening to the song while writing this post and I dont even know if what I said in the post makes since anymore...why in the hell can't you just tell us the meaning Anders? lol
I believe this has to do with the human race as a whole. The way I see it we are all heading in the wrong direction. We care about material things before the lives of others. The goals for people's lives are to get rich and have a big house. No one even cares about raising a good family anymore.
I think this is about reach deeper and find the real meaning, others point to dark signs but interprit them your self.