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 got a sixty-nine Chevy with a three-ninety-six
Fuelie heads and a Hurst on the floor
She's waiting tonight down in the parking lot
Outside the 7-Eleven store
Me and my partner Sonny built her straight out of scratch
And he rides with me from town to town
We only run for the money, got no strings attached
We shut 'em up and then we shut 'em down
Tonight, tonight the strip's just right
I want to blow 'em off in my first heat
Summer's here and the time is right
For racing in the street
We take all the action we can meet
And we cover all the northeast state
When the strip shuts down we run 'em in the street
From the fire roads to the interstate
Now some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece
Some guys come home from work and wash up
Then go racing in the street
Tonight, tonight the strip's just right
I want to blow 'em all out of their seats
We're calling out around the world, we're going racing in the street
I met her on the strip three years ago
In a Camaro with this dude from L.A.
I blew that Camaro off my back
And drove that little girl away
But now there's wrinkles 'round my baby's eyes
And she cries herself to sleep at night
When I come home, the house is dark
She sighs, "Baby, did you make it all right"
She sits on the porch of her daddy's house
But all her pretty dreams are torn
She stares off alone into the night
With the eyes of one who hates for just being born
For all the shut down strangers and hot rod angels
Rumbling through this promised land
Tonight my baby and me, we're gonna ride to the sea
And wash these sins off our hands
Tonight, tonight the highway's bright
Out of our way, mister, you best keep
'Cause summer's here and the time is right
For racing in the street
Fuelie heads and a Hurst on the floor
She's waiting tonight down in the parking lot
Outside the 7-Eleven store
Me and my partner Sonny built her straight out of scratch
And he rides with me from town to town
We only run for the money, got no strings attached
We shut 'em up and then we shut 'em down
Tonight, tonight the strip's just right
I want to blow 'em off in my first heat
Summer's here and the time is right
For racing in the street
We take all the action we can meet
And we cover all the northeast state
When the strip shuts down we run 'em in the street
From the fire roads to the interstate
Now some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece
Some guys come home from work and wash up
Then go racing in the street
Tonight, tonight the strip's just right
I want to blow 'em all out of their seats
We're calling out around the world, we're going racing in the street
I met her on the strip three years ago
In a Camaro with this dude from L.A.
I blew that Camaro off my back
And drove that little girl away
But now there's wrinkles 'round my baby's eyes
And she cries herself to sleep at night
When I come home, the house is dark
She sighs, "Baby, did you make it all right"
She sits on the porch of her daddy's house
But all her pretty dreams are torn
She stares off alone into the night
With the eyes of one who hates for just being born
For all the shut down strangers and hot rod angels
Rumbling through this promised land
Tonight my baby and me, we're gonna ride to the sea
And wash these sins off our hands
Tonight, tonight the highway's bright
Out of our way, mister, you best keep
'Cause summer's here and the time is right
For racing in the street
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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There's an interesting point to be made here that might spark some thought or discussion:
The song contains the lyrics "Summer's here and the time is right," a set of lyrics contained by three different songs, and possibly referential (at least on the Boss' part) to the previous two songs: Dancing in the Streets, and the Stones' Fighting Man.
Just thought that beared mentioning.
I'd say that Joe's comment is somehow missing the point. Clearly, the song writer's point of view is from that of someone who feels that this is his true love and his life, and what he wants to do, until he meets "that little girl" in "a Camaro with this dude from LA." He comes to see the effect it has on her and finally decides what he must do: "Tonight we're gonna ride to the sea and wash these sins from our hands."
As noted by the Magic Rat, it's very plausible that Darkness is also a continuation of this person's life, and how he returns to something that has always called to him. Of course, it's a very sad ending, but with a somewhat triumphant "last stand" to it.
"Tonight I'll be on that hill, Cause I can't stop, I'll be on that hill, with everything that I've got. Lives on the line, where dreams are found and lost, I'll be there on time and I'll pay the cost, for wanting things that can only be found, in the darkness on the edge of town."