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.
I drove a tank in on the left, i hid a rifle on the right
When she said,
"I see a tunnel, and at the end I see a light"
"I see a fire on the water on the right bank and the left"
(And she smiles when she wears the iron curtain as a dress)
CHORUS
I said come on
You're telling me to see the truth even with my eyes sewn up
I said come on
You're telling me to see the truth even with my mouth sewn shut
I see a preacher with a secret and he dare not make a sound
"I see the smoke and fire and the market burning down"
I se a tulip on a grave of a lover who confess
"I'm a soldier and a poet, but I'm a dancer at best"
CHORUS
I'm burning houses baby
I'm burning bridges baby
I drove a tank in on the left, i hid a rifle on the right
When she said,
"I see a tunnel, and at the end I see a light"
"I see a fire on the water on the right bank and the left"
(And she smiles when she wears the iron curtain as a dress)
CHORUS x2
When she said,
"I see a tunnel, and at the end I see a light"
"I see a fire on the water on the right bank and the left"
(And she smiles when she wears the iron curtain as a dress)
CHORUS
I said come on
You're telling me to see the truth even with my eyes sewn up
I said come on
You're telling me to see the truth even with my mouth sewn shut
I see a preacher with a secret and he dare not make a sound
"I see the smoke and fire and the market burning down"
I se a tulip on a grave of a lover who confess
"I'm a soldier and a poet, but I'm a dancer at best"
CHORUS
I'm burning houses baby
I'm burning bridges baby
I drove a tank in on the left, i hid a rifle on the right
When she said,
"I see a tunnel, and at the end I see a light"
"I see a fire on the water on the right bank and the left"
(And she smiles when she wears the iron curtain as a dress)
CHORUS x2
Lyrics submitted by Girlsdontgocrazy
At the Speed of a Yellow Bullet Lyrics as written by Daryl Palumbo
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think the lyrics in the chorus are supposed to be:
I said come on Come on You're telling me to tell the truth even with my mouth sewn up Come on I'm tellin you to see the truth even with your eyes sewn shut I said come on You're telling me to tell the truth even with my mouth sewn up I'm tellin you to see the truth even with your eyes sewn shut
That's what I hear anyway. And it makes more sense.
wrong.
nah... she got it right.
this would have to be my favorite off the album.
Good song, the lead singer is wicked funny on stage, saw them a few nights ago.
gotta get this one, lyrics are wicked. yey.
daryll's lyrics are always great, and though i'm not a huge fan of HA, i checked them out because i love glassjaw, and this song is actually really good, though i only have the demo.
which, by the way, tony clifton is right about the lyrics on. the new version must have the chorus switched.
This song makes me think of 70's funk... and I like it.
yeh tony clifton is right from what I can hear!
i really like this song
this song was really produced different than the others, it is alot less elctronica (which is there genre) than beating hearts baby or sound system but i like it alot. Daryl Palumbo is a great singer and HA's producer is also the producer for the gorillas, He is really amazing.
Another example of Darryl using Zappa lines ("I see the smoke and fire And the market burning down" from "Trouble Every Day") I love that he slides them in there in both bands, like little secrets waiting to be discovered