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.
the city makes so much noise when you record it
the streets have secret voices
if they don't shut up your head will get dirty
so you block out the hum, desensitized, it's not healthy
but the city's like a miniature body
with miniature versions of our universal problems
if i could make dorm rooms and stadiums silent
my record when played will make the whole world more quiet
ears are ringing, things get in me
i wanna keep my tissues, eyelashes, and intestines clean
but i can't think, open for business, infected
every particle pulled in a seperate direction
i gotta find away to keep the noises outside
only one holy hunger will i obey or recognize
this body's mine as its owner i seal it
i'll find out just what this piece of shit is capable of feeling
food is disgusting it's what they make shit from
you're vomiting backwards
get poisoned, get cancer
i wanna make a record instead of taking drugs
lower the tone arm
the room is more quiet than it was
i'm so out of breath, ungraceful
i'm always running, now can't stop chasing
this something inside of me that doesn't exist yet
i'll need to be aerodynamic to catch it
i can't get comfortable in this mess
less than the sum of my influences arrested
weighed down by the bullshit my blackhole's collected
suck it all in (distracted, conflicted, pathetic)
but i will make myself into the shape of a weapon
i'll burn off the fat until i'm all sharp edges
convey my veins contents
no nonsense, no question, no excess
i very much prefer an early exit
sensible rebellion, the least embarassing
not flailing my fists, i'm not coming apart
and when my body stops moving
i won't be shocked
i'll know exactly the cause
and just who's at fault
food is disgusting it's what they make shit from
you're vomiting backwards
get poisoned, get cancer
i wanna make a record instead of taking drugs
but with the tone of the room
it's more quiet than it was
the streets have secret voices
if they don't shut up your head will get dirty
so you block out the hum, desensitized, it's not healthy
but the city's like a miniature body
with miniature versions of our universal problems
if i could make dorm rooms and stadiums silent
my record when played will make the whole world more quiet
ears are ringing, things get in me
i wanna keep my tissues, eyelashes, and intestines clean
but i can't think, open for business, infected
every particle pulled in a seperate direction
i gotta find away to keep the noises outside
only one holy hunger will i obey or recognize
this body's mine as its owner i seal it
i'll find out just what this piece of shit is capable of feeling
food is disgusting it's what they make shit from
you're vomiting backwards
get poisoned, get cancer
i wanna make a record instead of taking drugs
lower the tone arm
the room is more quiet than it was
i'm so out of breath, ungraceful
i'm always running, now can't stop chasing
this something inside of me that doesn't exist yet
i'll need to be aerodynamic to catch it
i can't get comfortable in this mess
less than the sum of my influences arrested
weighed down by the bullshit my blackhole's collected
suck it all in (distracted, conflicted, pathetic)
but i will make myself into the shape of a weapon
i'll burn off the fat until i'm all sharp edges
convey my veins contents
no nonsense, no question, no excess
i very much prefer an early exit
sensible rebellion, the least embarassing
not flailing my fists, i'm not coming apart
and when my body stops moving
i won't be shocked
i'll know exactly the cause
and just who's at fault
food is disgusting it's what they make shit from
you're vomiting backwards
get poisoned, get cancer
i wanna make a record instead of taking drugs
but with the tone of the room
it's more quiet than it was
Lyrics submitted by Mopnugget
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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."
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
how cool is anorexia!
I get this