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 heard you're back on your feet
I'm really glad to hear it
You're in the driver's seat
And you can barely steer it
When you slammed on the brakes
I never thought you'd pull through
Well, if that's what it takes
Then more power to you
Here's to you
What can you show me
That I haven't already seen before
You can't really know me
When one foot's in and one foot's out the door
What can you say now
That I haven't heard a million times before
What can you play now
That'll have me in tears and screaming for more
And isn't this the life
It's everything you wanted
Forget the struggle and the strife
You got it, why not flaunt it?
Even when you were a kid
They always said you'd go far
They loved everything you did
You shined like a star
And a star is what you are
Taking your time
You won't be rushed, you'll move at your own pace
And all of the time that you were crushed
Your heart was in the right place
And when you look back on this
You'll think about what a good time it was
You make me happy
When lately it seems nothing ever does
What can you show me
That I haven't already seen before
You can't really know me
When one foot's in and one foot's out the door
What can you say now
That I haven't heard a trillion times before
What can you play now
That'll move me to tears and leave me wanting more
I'm really glad to hear it
You're in the driver's seat
And you can barely steer it
When you slammed on the brakes
I never thought you'd pull through
Well, if that's what it takes
Then more power to you
Here's to you
What can you show me
That I haven't already seen before
You can't really know me
When one foot's in and one foot's out the door
What can you say now
That I haven't heard a million times before
What can you play now
That'll have me in tears and screaming for more
And isn't this the life
It's everything you wanted
Forget the struggle and the strife
You got it, why not flaunt it?
Even when you were a kid
They always said you'd go far
They loved everything you did
You shined like a star
And a star is what you are
Taking your time
You won't be rushed, you'll move at your own pace
And all of the time that you were crushed
Your heart was in the right place
And when you look back on this
You'll think about what a good time it was
You make me happy
When lately it seems nothing ever does
What can you show me
That I haven't already seen before
You can't really know me
When one foot's in and one foot's out the door
What can you say now
That I haven't heard a trillion times before
What can you play now
That'll move me to tears and leave me wanting more
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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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i love this song.