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.
Day after day I'm more confused
Yet I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
And I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame?
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
So I'm countin' on you to carry me through
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along, makin' me strong
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul (my soul)
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Hey, hey, hey, yeah, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul (my soul)
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Now, now now, won't ya, won't ya take me?
Oh, oh, take me, yeah
I wanna fly
Early in the morning, won't ya take me?
Come on and free my soul, nah, nah, nah
I wanna drift away, yeah
Yet I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
And I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame?
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
So I'm countin' on you to carry me through
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me
Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
Rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along, makin' me strong
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Give me the beat, boys, and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul (my soul)
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Hey, hey, hey, yeah, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul (my soul)
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Now, now now, won't ya, won't ya take me?
Oh, oh, take me, yeah
I wanna fly
Early in the morning, won't ya take me?
Come on and free my soul, nah, nah, nah
I wanna drift away, yeah
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It is a shame there are so little comments on this song. It gives me goosebumps everytime i listen to it. There is SOUL in this song unlike any other and i hope that YOU one day TOO can find it, hear it, and feel it as much as Jeffyhash, stoolhardy, AmberAmelia, filmgirl79, Ultimate Panopticon?, and no code88 DID!