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 will come for you at nighttime
I will raise you from your sleep
I will kiss you in four places
As I go running along your street
I will squeeze the life out of you
You will make me laugh and make me cry
And we will never forget it
You will make me call your name
And I'll shout it to the blue summer sky
And we may never meet again
So shed your skin and let's get started
And you will throw your arms around me
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me
I dreamed of you at nighttime
And I watched you in your sleep
I met you in high places
I touched your head and touched your feet
So if you disappear out of view
You know I will never say goodbye
And though I try to forget it
You will make me call your name
And I'll shout it to the blue summer sky
And we may never meet again
So shed your skin and let's get started
And you will throw your arms around me
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
You will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
I will raise you from your sleep
I will kiss you in four places
As I go running along your street
I will squeeze the life out of you
You will make me laugh and make me cry
And we will never forget it
You will make me call your name
And I'll shout it to the blue summer sky
And we may never meet again
So shed your skin and let's get started
And you will throw your arms around me
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me
I dreamed of you at nighttime
And I watched you in your sleep
I met you in high places
I touched your head and touched your feet
So if you disappear out of view
You know I will never say goodbye
And though I try to forget it
You will make me call your name
And I'll shout it to the blue summer sky
And we may never meet again
So shed your skin and let's get started
And you will throw your arms around me
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
You will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Yeah, you will throw your arms around me (oh, yeah)
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Throw Your Arms Around Me Lyrics as written by John Howard Mark Jeremy Seymour
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Hm.. is the alleged "one night stand" theme something Hunter has actually told people he wrote the song about, or is it just an (apparently common) interpretation?
If the former, then I've learnt something new! Not that it would change what the song has always been in my 'mind' (heart) - one of the most beautiful, romantic love songs I know. I've never for a second interpreted "we may never meet again, so ...." as "we know this is most likely a once off, ...." - I find it difficult to swallow that such a love-enriched piece of music/lyrics could simply be a literal description of a "one night stand"! Although, as I said, if that's what the songwriter has stated at some stage, fair enough.
Personally I've always taken the aforementioned line(s) to mean "we're mutually aware of the fact that life is our (rather vain!) attempt to 'manage' chaos - that anything could happen at any 'moment'. For all we know one or both of us could be dead tomorrow and this 'moment' (series of, if you're into the linear time perception idea ;) ) may well be our last meeting - so let's treat every moment as if that's the case.
Hardly an original philosophy - worded in many other ways it's commonly used as a 'way of living' with the aim of being happy throughout the journey, rather than thinking you'll be happy once you get this, do that, join them, or whatever.
All in all an incredibly positive song about commitment and the importance of never taking someone for granted, IMO.
In my humble opinion, it doesn't detract from the song if it's indeed about a one night stand. Some of the most passionate and resonant romances are fleeting... and all the more powerful for it! A glimpse of of what may or may not be. Such a wistful song, always brings tears to my eyes.
My Aussie friend just sent this song to me and it's phenomenal and absolutely beautiful.
Yes, it's about a one night stand, but one that has been a long time in the making. There is deep affection behind it. Perhaps it's just a long, unrealized love coming to fruition or maybe the subjects are married, I'm not sure. All I know is this song is haunting.
This verse is about him going to her and finally consummating their relationship, which is pretty obvious :
I will come for you at nighttime I will raise you from your sleep I will kiss you in four places As I go running along your street I will squeeze the life out of you You will make me laugh and make me cry And we will never forget it You will make me call your name And I'll shout it to the blue summer sky
His calling our her name is orgasm, I think.
The next verse brings forward that though they will be apart, they will never really be alone because he'll be with her in spirit:
I dreamed of you at nighttime And I watched you in your sleep I met you in high places I touched your head and touched your feet So if you disappear out of view You know I will never say goodbye And though I try to forget it You will make me call your name And I'll shout it to the blue summer sky...
Right there! He will always be with her - even in his dreams- because he cares for her. Even though he knows he'll wish he could get over her, he knows he won't.
And we may never meet again... So shed your skin and let's get started And you will throw your arms around me Yeah, you will throw your arms around me
I think this song is amazing. I can't believe I never heard the Pearl Jam cover of this song. It doesn't matter, though, because it's perfect from Hungers and Collectors.
this is like the best song of all time-it ws supposed to be a "revolutionary song" for music. and no one comments on it
Rentak you're definately right about that. This song is great and one of my favorites. The meaning however is pretty self explanatory. I think it's about a longing and love for someone. I first heard this song through Pearl Jam covering it in some of their concerts. It's a great rendition but this song is so great it's hard to ruin it.
Ive heard Pearl Jam, and Crowded House both do covers of this song, and both were brilliant...But Hunters still do it so well...
Eddie Vedder was a good friend of the guys from Split Enz, Crowded House and Hunters and Collectors (the lead from Hunters is the brother of the basist from CH)...Thats why Pearl Jam, or atleast Eddie Vedder does lots of stuff with the Finn brothers, Crowded House or Hunters.
noone comments for this song.... what is this coming to?
great song i love it
this song is awesome one of the best aussie songs
wow. i love this song so much. im listening to the cover by neil finn right now. its really beautiful. it seems pretty self-explanitory though, so i wont bother saying what i think it means. ill just say its awesome.
This is the most amzing song...I'm surprised at the lack of comments for H&C songs...
Amazing ;D