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.
How did Camus really die that night?
Were they right, when he died was it really his time?
Or was it suicide?
And Holden Caufield is a friend of mine
We go drinking from time to time
And I find: it gets harder every time
Back off
But your out on the street again
Don't you stop
Did you know you couldn't swim?
Back off
Until your on the street again
I'm not gonna play if there ain't no way I'll win
Well Hemmingway never seemed to mind the banality of a normal life
And I find: it gets harder every time.
So he aimed a shotgun into the blue
Placed his face between the two and sighed: 'Here's to life!'
Back off
But your out on the street again
Don't you stop
Did you know you couldn't swim?
Back off
Until your on the street again
I'm not gonna play if there ain't no way I'll win
Hey there Salinger what did you do
Just when the world was looking to you
To write anything that meant anything
You told us you were through
And its been years since you passed away
But I see no plaque and I see no grave
And I can't help believing that you wanted it this way.
And Vincent Van Gogh why do you weep?
You were on your way to heaven but the road was steep
And who was there to break your fall?
We're guilty, one and all
And I don't know much but I do know this
With a golden heart comes a rebel fist
But I can't help agreeing with those that would not quit
And it makes me sick when I think of it
All my heroes could not live with this
And I hope you rest in peace because with us you never did
And you were much to young
And you changed my life
But I draw the line at suicide
So here's to life!
Were they right, when he died was it really his time?
Or was it suicide?
And Holden Caufield is a friend of mine
We go drinking from time to time
And I find: it gets harder every time
Back off
But your out on the street again
Don't you stop
Did you know you couldn't swim?
Back off
Until your on the street again
I'm not gonna play if there ain't no way I'll win
Well Hemmingway never seemed to mind the banality of a normal life
And I find: it gets harder every time.
So he aimed a shotgun into the blue
Placed his face between the two and sighed: 'Here's to life!'
Back off
But your out on the street again
Don't you stop
Did you know you couldn't swim?
Back off
Until your on the street again
I'm not gonna play if there ain't no way I'll win
Hey there Salinger what did you do
Just when the world was looking to you
To write anything that meant anything
You told us you were through
And its been years since you passed away
But I see no plaque and I see no grave
And I can't help believing that you wanted it this way.
And Vincent Van Gogh why do you weep?
You were on your way to heaven but the road was steep
And who was there to break your fall?
We're guilty, one and all
And I don't know much but I do know this
With a golden heart comes a rebel fist
But I can't help agreeing with those that would not quit
And it makes me sick when I think of it
All my heroes could not live with this
And I hope you rest in peace because with us you never did
And you were much to young
And you changed my life
But I draw the line at suicide
So here's to life!
Lyrics submitted by SlapsterMcFlash, edited by Scepvyle
Here's to Life Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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