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.
You sounded so good on the phone
All moved up and all moved on
Me and gravity, we never could agree
But I can almost see the sky
When I need to, I close me eyes
You're the only thing that's worth holding on to
Angel you sing about beautiful things
And all I want to do is believe
But I traded my dreams for this mess of memories
And they just stopped working for me
Now I'm not a monster
I believe like a liar would believe
Helps me navigate the wooden smiles, the raging seas
And all my heroes pull their heads
Like a fighter would, I guess
No one ever really likes getting older
Angel you sing about beautiful things
And all I want to do is believe
But I traded my dreams for this mess of memories
And they just stopped working for me
All moved up and all moved on
Me and gravity, we never could agree
But I can almost see the sky
When I need to, I close me eyes
You're the only thing that's worth holding on to
Angel you sing about beautiful things
And all I want to do is believe
But I traded my dreams for this mess of memories
And they just stopped working for me
Now I'm not a monster
I believe like a liar would believe
Helps me navigate the wooden smiles, the raging seas
And all my heroes pull their heads
Like a fighter would, I guess
No one ever really likes getting older
Angel you sing about beautiful things
And all I want to do is believe
But I traded my dreams for this mess of memories
And they just stopped working for me
Lyrics submitted by skeeter688
Angel Lyrics as written by Matt Nathanson Mark Weinberg
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I listened to Beneath These Fireworks a ton after a painful breakup to a long and meaningful relationship and I was amazed by how much I could relate to so many of the songs on the album. In this song for example, just the way it starts, "you sounded so good on the phone, all moved up and all moved on," well, I tried to stay good friends with my ex (we're actually very good friends today), and we would have dinner together and I would talk to him, and it seemed like he had everything figured out, he had moved on past me and his life was so much better now. Whereas for me, well, I had trouble getting my life together, and while I could see a better future if I closed my eyes, I wanted to hold on so badly. I valued our friendship so much so he was the only thing worth holding onto.
At the same time, he would talk about how things would get better given time, and I felt like I wanted to believe everything he said, but I had made a lot of sacrifices for him, including my friends, and all I had left were the mess of memories of us being together. And those memories were enough for me anymore, not enough to keep me happy. It was also at that point that I realized I was older, that I had spent years with one person and I was no longer a kid anymore. I went even went through an old maid crisis. =)
It is such a beautiful song. And Matt is amazing in concert. I saw him 2 nights in a row recently and each night was completely different (unlike his opening acts who told the same jokes, did the same improvs). Definitely one of the most talented and most entertaining musicians out there.