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.
Middle of the night and it's gettin' so hard to breathe
You can't sleep, can't think, can't hardly dream
Do you feel what the world wants you to be?
Open your eyes and just see what the world is
Open your mind and your free
There's more in this world than we see
Just leave these illusions behind
Run with me
If all of the things that you thought you would be
Pass you by
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
I spent a lifetime hoping it would come to me
Gettin' lost in the lies I believed
We're covered by a mask that we think is our sin
But never realize that the truth is within
Open your eyes and just see what the world is
Open your eyes and your free
There's more in this world than we see
Just leave these illusions behind
Run with me
If all of the things that you thought you would be
Pass you by
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
And what are you hiding from?
Is it safe there inside your walls?
'Cause your chance is bound to come
If you're strong enough to live at all
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
Open your eyes and just see what the world is
Open your mind and you're free
There's more in this world than we see
Just leave these illusions behind
Run with me
If all of the things that you thought you would be
Pass you by
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
You can't sleep, can't think, can't hardly dream
Do you feel what the world wants you to be?
Open your eyes and just see what the world is
Open your mind and your free
There's more in this world than we see
Just leave these illusions behind
Run with me
If all of the things that you thought you would be
Pass you by
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
I spent a lifetime hoping it would come to me
Gettin' lost in the lies I believed
We're covered by a mask that we think is our sin
But never realize that the truth is within
Open your eyes and just see what the world is
Open your eyes and your free
There's more in this world than we see
Just leave these illusions behind
Run with me
If all of the things that you thought you would be
Pass you by
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
And what are you hiding from?
Is it safe there inside your walls?
'Cause your chance is bound to come
If you're strong enough to live at all
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
Open your eyes and just see what the world is
Open your mind and you're free
There's more in this world than we see
Just leave these illusions behind
Run with me
If all of the things that you thought you would be
Pass you by
We'll find what we need in our lives
We'll find what we need in our lives
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I agree I'm not a big Ryan Cabrera fan, but a huge goo goo dolls fan, and you can hear john rzezniks influence on the song