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.
Fumbling his confidence
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he's bent for more than arguments,
And failed attempts to fly, fly
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Dreaming about Providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we've been livin' with our eyes half open
Maybe we're bent and broken, broken
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live
We were meant to live
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he's bent for more than arguments,
And failed attempts to fly, fly
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Dreaming about Providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we've been livin' with our eyes half open
Maybe we're bent and broken, broken
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live
We were meant to live
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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.
I think that this song is for anyone who's "ever been through shit in their lives." To me, this song is so powerful. I can completely relate to the lyrics. The lyrics, to me, are saying that even though you're going through shit right now, you WERE meant for something more, so you'll get out of it and your life will get to be worth living again.
Best band on the planet! :) Switchfoot ROCKS!
I totally agree with the opinion of jvenrick. This is absolutely a christian band. The thing with Switchfoot though is that the songs require a bit more thinking. So I can see how people get confused. But when doing so...I personally realized how true their messages about life and religion are.
Although I'm atheist, I think this song is mostly about how man and a species has become infatuated with material things, mostly money, while we are "meant to live" to worship God. Like when he says "have we lost ourselves" he means "have me lost touch with the reason we are here".
I'd remove 'while we are "meant to live" to worship God', and could happily agree with your statement
I'm Christian and proud of it, but I don't necessarily like your typical "Christian Rock" band that the only way you can interpret their song is that it's about God and God alone. That's why I love Switchfoot. They have songs that are pretty clear they're about God and your relationship with God, but to the untrained ear they sound like they aren't. By the way, another good band like this is Relient K if anyone has my kind of tastes.
i agree in your opinion :) Switchfoot rocks<br />
no this is not a christian band
@AmericanaFUBAR @bay1102916 the band members are Christians but they are not a Christian band based on genre
@AmericanaFUBAR . I agree and think the problem with a lot of modern American Christianity is trying to hard to sound like songs "of the world" and not just say what is on there minds. I personally feel like there are many artists who write incredibly spiritual songs without classifying it as strictly Christian. God is bigger than just one religion, and one set of of rules and Dogma, so therefore songs can tap into the great mystery from many different avenues, or genres. I would say other spiritual songs that have much meaning but are not Christian are Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, One by U2, Unforgiven by Metallica. I have found deep meaning in all of these songs that connected to something in my life. Others are Bob Marley's 3 little birds, and Redemption Song. I could go on. They just keep popping in my head now.
OK. For starters, the lyrics are not bent to live. What kind of sense does that make?? OK. Next, Switchfoot is a christian band. All of their songs utimately are about God. This one can mean other things though. Personally I take it to mean that we were meant to live a life with God, honoring God, and bringing pleasure to Him. But it could just as easily mean that this guy is taking a look at his life and just wondering what he's meant for. I guess we all do that in at a point in our life. We all feel lost sometimes and feel like were just ambling along in life. Well whatever you want to think about it, the song is great. Its a really good song, and I love the guitar in it. -Jessica
ok, i just started w/ this site, and i had the impression that we were to figure out what the band meant by the song, not what we want it to mean...but maybe not..my opinon is yes, they are christian entertainers, and most likelly have the desire to spread the love of Jesus through their music, whether is obvious or not, im sure they mean that we as a human race, not just america, but all of the world were meant to live for so much more than what we're living for, most of us live only for ourselves, we worship ourselves, ignoring God partly or completely...we were meant to live in peace and fellowship w/ God like Jesus, and ultimately we will in Heaven..we were meant for Heaven........i just love switchfoot to death and am very glad they're getting so popular, i just wish that people wouldn't look at their songs and go oh, it's about a girl, or something like that..oh well. much love
ITS ABOUT GOD OK MAN YOU WEIRDOS PLAIN AND SIMPLE
I cant say "Meant To Live" by Switchfoot has made me do anything but I listen to it all of the time, especially when Im feeling down. I want to say that it encourages me to always strive to be better. For example, I took a 4 year break from college. I just got sick of it and didnt think it mattered if I had a degree or not. One day while listening to this song it occurred to me after hearing the lyrics that I was meant to live for so much more.... 2 weeks ago I went back and signed back up for classes. I will have my degree July 2007 :-)
@Hereisgone i wonder. did you do it? or did you not? where are you now, and how is life treating you? are you happy? sad? do you still listen to this song? i dont expect this to ever get a response, and if it does i dont expect to ever see it again. but maybe, just maybe, someone else will see this reply, and maybe my current reply will be 12 years old just like the person im responding to. I wonder where my life will take me, where i'll be, what im doing. I hope life is treating you well, and remember that these years fly by fast. So make the best of it and create memories that you can cherish and remember for the rest of your life. Live in the "good ol' days" because you never know they are until they're over.
ok honestly nobody cares what anyone thinks! there is a clear meaning to the song and yes it is the "we are on earth for a purpose" the entire christian band thing is what it IS ABOUT! we stray and stumble over our own selfishness, it is indirectly saying that if we aim for self salvation (do not take that out of context) we will fail, there is an honest way to live and that is the divinity of God. Everyone can take it and apply it to themselves but that doesnt mean it was written without meaning....they had intent behind the song, look it up and study the group. Understanding a band's music requires understanding the band and lyricists. have fun criticising me if you dissagree! kudos if you do!