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.
Everybody's talking
But they don't say a thing
They look at me with sad eyes
But I don't want their sympathy
It's cool you didn't want me
Sometimes you can't go back
By why'd you have to go
And make a mess like that
Well I just have to say before I let go
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
No I don't need your number
There's nothing left to say
'Cept I never thought it'd
Hurt this much to be saved
My friends are outside waiting
I've gotta go
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
What you did was low
What you did was low
What you did was low
I walk out of this darkness
With no sense of regret
And I go with a clear conscience
We both know that you can't say that
This to show for all the time I loved you so
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
'Cause what you did was low
But they don't say a thing
They look at me with sad eyes
But I don't want their sympathy
It's cool you didn't want me
Sometimes you can't go back
By why'd you have to go
And make a mess like that
Well I just have to say before I let go
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
No I don't need your number
There's nothing left to say
'Cept I never thought it'd
Hurt this much to be saved
My friends are outside waiting
I've gotta go
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
What you did was low
What you did was low
What you did was low
I walk out of this darkness
With no sense of regret
And I go with a clear conscience
We both know that you can't say that
This to show for all the time I loved you so
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
When the truth came out
Were you the last to know
Were you left out in the cold
'Cause what you did was low
Have you ever been low
Have you ever had a friend that let you down so
'Cause what you did was low
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I think this is a song about a break up and the guy did something really bad to her. Everyone knew what the guy was doing and the girl was the last to find out. Now she knows, and she knows that everyone else knew and that they all feel sorry for her. It's a really sucky feeling. I really like the line, "Except I never thought it'd hurt this much to be saved." I can really relate to this song. I had an ex who got with another chick right after we broke up. I didn't know about her until later, but everyone else did. It was horrible. I knew that everyone felt bad for me. This information made me realize what kind of person my ex really was, but it hurt a lot. I thought we could be friends, but he messed it up and now it can never happen. To me, what he did was low, and it made me feel low....