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.
If you listen just right, you can almost hear it.
The symphony of secrecy, love and fear.
(Search for love, but finding fear.)
Like a moth to a flame, we become helpless
To the beautiful ghosts
That true love sheds.
We are all running our very own races,
Set out upon the most dangerous of places.
And through it all, we were left
With a void in our chests,
We're aching to fill.
The doves come
To gather our every need,
They lift them up to Heaven
Through the mouths from which we speak.
God, will you help us understand the meaning of it all?
Will you send your Angels down to us, at our every call?
Sometimes it seems the world is passing us
Faster than my eyes can adjust.
I can't decide
If I'm living or I'm dying.
So I test your love and I test your love, I test your love.
The doves come
To gather our every need,
They lift them up to Heaven
Through us now...
The doves come
To gather our every need,
They lift them up to Heaven
Through the mouths from which we speak.
Like a moth to a flame, we become helpless
To the beautiful ghosts
That true love sheds.
The symphony of secrecy, love and fear.
(Search for love, but finding fear.)
Like a moth to a flame, we become helpless
To the beautiful ghosts
That true love sheds.
We are all running our very own races,
Set out upon the most dangerous of places.
And through it all, we were left
With a void in our chests,
We're aching to fill.
The doves come
To gather our every need,
They lift them up to Heaven
Through the mouths from which we speak.
God, will you help us understand the meaning of it all?
Will you send your Angels down to us, at our every call?
Sometimes it seems the world is passing us
Faster than my eyes can adjust.
I can't decide
If I'm living or I'm dying.
So I test your love and I test your love, I test your love.
The doves come
To gather our every need,
They lift them up to Heaven
Through us now...
The doves come
To gather our every need,
They lift them up to Heaven
Through the mouths from which we speak.
Like a moth to a flame, we become helpless
To the beautiful ghosts
That true love sheds.
Lyrics submitted by TheMineralRecord
Ghosts Lyrics as written by Jimmy Ritchey Joshua Ryan Owen
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
"I can't decide If I'm living or I'm dying."
omg! amazing band, hun?
Most of this song is pretty explanitory. "If you listen just right, you can almost hear it. The symphony of secrecy, love and fear. (search for love, but finding fear.)" - Ok yes, they are christian, as am I. But I noticed that a lot of their lyrics come from spirituality theories and such(whatever you'd like to call it). And one of them is that there are two emotions: love and fear. Everything else branches from that. And all throughout life, you're trying and trying to accept and give love but sometimes you feel so engulfed by fear that you come off the wrong path so he "asks for God's help".
Love this song.
this song is beautiful
this song is beautiful
it's like that love/fear exercise in donnie darko :D