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.
Can you see me?
Do you know my position?
How quick is your eye?
I have no home, no reason to roam
Yet I travel the length of the sky
I stretch my fingers jagged icy white
'Til my energy's all around
My clutch is swift, my force is fearful
I convey it without a sound
I live to free the skies from everyone
Watch me run, watch me
The north wind rises
Old man's eyes wondering deeply as he locks his door
He knows the fear when I'm too near him
He's seen me angry before
The black intruding clouds approach
As I release a destructive blow
All the crashing
All the flashing light brings terror upon my foe
I fight with force and power for my land
I command the lightning's hand
Run for cover
Oh, your life is in vain if you try to escape me
Don't look back
Oh, your wealthy world cannot save you
'Cause I'm gonna break you
I hear them moan, I hear them weep
Because they feel I belong to the devil
They feel the pain and will again
Until they stop reaching up for this level
No one will defeat me, no one can
I command the lightning's hand
I command the lightning's hand
I command the lightning's hand
I command the lightning's hand
Do you know my position?
How quick is your eye?
I have no home, no reason to roam
Yet I travel the length of the sky
I stretch my fingers jagged icy white
'Til my energy's all around
My clutch is swift, my force is fearful
I convey it without a sound
I live to free the skies from everyone
Watch me run, watch me
The north wind rises
Old man's eyes wondering deeply as he locks his door
He knows the fear when I'm too near him
He's seen me angry before
The black intruding clouds approach
As I release a destructive blow
All the crashing
All the flashing light brings terror upon my foe
I fight with force and power for my land
I command the lightning's hand
Run for cover
Oh, your life is in vain if you try to escape me
Don't look back
Oh, your wealthy world cannot save you
'Cause I'm gonna break you
I hear them moan, I hear them weep
Because they feel I belong to the devil
They feel the pain and will again
Until they stop reaching up for this level
No one will defeat me, no one can
I command the lightning's hand
I command the lightning's hand
I command the lightning's hand
I command the lightning's hand
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
Perhaps there really is some deeper meaning, but...
It's about a modern military jet fighter/bomber (the pilot actually). In a war, the pilot is humming this in their head as they fly a mission - shooting down other aircraft, bombing targets, etc.
@JimmyJoeMeager I wouldn’t be so sure about that, sure lines like “I live to free the skies from everyone” or “I travel the length of the sky” do make it sound like that but other ones like “my clutch is swift” or “I convey it without a sound” make it seem more like it’s a person wielding some kind of melee weapon.<br /> <br /> Not to mention how the “They feel the pain, and will again 'til they stop reaching up for this level” part would make no sense not only because they aren’t really reaching for anything (I can’t think of a figurative way to make sense of this line in that context either) but also because they can’t feel the pain again if they’re dead.