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.
How can there be so much pain
Just livin' day to day it's easy
How can you be so sincere
When you're whispering in my ear you're crazy
Uptown squeeze traffic lust
It's paradise its lucky dust
Never bitter or out of luck
Double or nothin's hard enough
Where urban voices speak in tongues
Hold tight let's fall in love
I thought I knew you better
Yes I thought I did
I hope your dreams comes true
I hope they come true
We're in for nasty weather
Yeah I know it too
When I'm alone with you
How can you cry all these tears
When you're reeling in them years
How can you be so out of mind
When you eat me up alive
Uptown squeeze traffic lust
It's paradise its lucky dust
Never bitter or out of luck
Double or nothing's hard enough
Where urban voices speak in tongues
Hold tight let's fall in love
Oh yeah
I thought I knew you better
Yes I thought I did
I hope your dreams come true
I hope they come true
We're in for nasty weather
Yeah I know it too
When I'm alone with you
I thought I knew you better
Yes I thought I did
I hope your dreams come true
I hope they come true
We're in for nasty weather
Yeah I know it too
When I'm alone with you
Just livin' day to day it's easy
How can you be so sincere
When you're whispering in my ear you're crazy
Uptown squeeze traffic lust
It's paradise its lucky dust
Never bitter or out of luck
Double or nothin's hard enough
Where urban voices speak in tongues
Hold tight let's fall in love
I thought I knew you better
Yes I thought I did
I hope your dreams comes true
I hope they come true
We're in for nasty weather
Yeah I know it too
When I'm alone with you
How can you cry all these tears
When you're reeling in them years
How can you be so out of mind
When you eat me up alive
Uptown squeeze traffic lust
It's paradise its lucky dust
Never bitter or out of luck
Double or nothing's hard enough
Where urban voices speak in tongues
Hold tight let's fall in love
Oh yeah
I thought I knew you better
Yes I thought I did
I hope your dreams come true
I hope they come true
We're in for nasty weather
Yeah I know it too
When I'm alone with you
I thought I knew you better
Yes I thought I did
I hope your dreams come true
I hope they come true
We're in for nasty weather
Yeah I know it too
When I'm alone with you
Lyrics submitted by Charlie the man
Hold Tight Lyrics as written by Warren Justin De Martini Stephen E Pearcy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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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Great version of a great song,
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