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.
There is no such place,
O yes I have seen it too
Just a little different from how you do,
A river winding blue among the dunes
And a marble bed
A sun that doesn't set but settles.
There is no such place.
If I lower mine to yours
Would you kiss me on the face?
If you're looking for an unmarked place,
There is no such place
Blasted in appearance and
A composite of fearful minutes
Frozen in the waking instant
Longing, things I long for,
Peaceful nights,
Strangers at the door,
O come in, come in,
You've been here before.
There is no such place,
So perhaps we have a reason
For our long and falling face,
Above all it would be warm
But we would keep our heads all
Clear as Winter, storms would be
A sight to make us shiver
But without the chill
Of thinking all is hither-thither
Longing,
Things I long for,
Peaceful nights,
Strangers at the door,
O come in, come through the door,
You've been here before,
You've been here before
There is no such place,
O yes I have seen it too
Just a little different from how you do,
A house upon a hill with no windows
Just a can upon the sill
To catch your tears
To feed your garden.
O yes I have seen it too
Just a little different from how you do,
A river winding blue among the dunes
And a marble bed
A sun that doesn't set but settles.
There is no such place.
If I lower mine to yours
Would you kiss me on the face?
If you're looking for an unmarked place,
There is no such place
Blasted in appearance and
A composite of fearful minutes
Frozen in the waking instant
Longing, things I long for,
Peaceful nights,
Strangers at the door,
O come in, come in,
You've been here before.
There is no such place,
So perhaps we have a reason
For our long and falling face,
Above all it would be warm
But we would keep our heads all
Clear as Winter, storms would be
A sight to make us shiver
But without the chill
Of thinking all is hither-thither
Longing,
Things I long for,
Peaceful nights,
Strangers at the door,
O come in, come through the door,
You've been here before,
You've been here before
There is no such place,
O yes I have seen it too
Just a little different from how you do,
A house upon a hill with no windows
Just a can upon the sill
To catch your tears
To feed your garden.
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.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
this is a really pretty song and i love listening to it