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.
Our time has come.
There once was a time for us.
You cannot make it back no matter how fast you react.
This was our bond.
We said we'd always play for keeps.
No one takes it back; They always meant it when they asked.
You never remembered why we were here.
The places that we shared
And times when you weren't there.
I picture you when we were friends.
But I consider when it rains it pours,
There's nothin more.
I won't take it out on you.
But I'll remember
When you went your own way, you felt so afraid, no one would follow you.
Time is now your affluence
The aromatic bouquet of the flora that those corporate types all love.
A stage upon which you retort.
Some chemicals in your bloodstream will never fill the void of being clean.
Gone is the normalcy,
Last of the lost.
I long for you now,
Forgive me somehow.
As I am weary
I release the hate that caused the break.
From taking it out on you.
And I will never disavow you're in my heart I'm making it up to you.
Confident we know the way.
We will live again someday
I never said my last good bye.
I'll always give you one last try.
There once was a time for us.
You cannot make it back no matter how fast you react.
This was our bond.
We said we'd always play for keeps.
No one takes it back; They always meant it when they asked.
You never remembered why we were here.
The places that we shared
And times when you weren't there.
I picture you when we were friends.
But I consider when it rains it pours,
There's nothin more.
I won't take it out on you.
But I'll remember
When you went your own way, you felt so afraid, no one would follow you.
Time is now your affluence
The aromatic bouquet of the flora that those corporate types all love.
A stage upon which you retort.
Some chemicals in your bloodstream will never fill the void of being clean.
Gone is the normalcy,
Last of the lost.
I long for you now,
Forgive me somehow.
As I am weary
I release the hate that caused the break.
From taking it out on you.
And I will never disavow you're in my heart I'm making it up to you.
Confident we know the way.
We will live again someday
I never said my last good bye.
I'll always give you one last try.
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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