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.
This is so hard for me
To find the words to say
My thoughts are standing still
Captive inside of me
All emotions start to hide
And nothing's getting trough
Watch me
Fading
I'm losing
All my instincts
Falling into darkness
Tear down these walls for me
Stop me from going under
You are the only one who knows
I'm holding back
It's not too late for me
To keep from sinking further
I'm trying to find my way out
Tear down these walls for me now
So much uncertainty
I don't like this feeling
I'm sinking like a stone
Each time I try to speak
There's a voice I'm hearing
And it changes everything
Watch me
Crawl from the wreckage
Of my silence
Conversation
Failing
Tear down these walls for me
Stop me from going under
You are the only one who knows
I'm holding back
It's not too late for me
To keep from sinking further
I'm trying to find my way out
Tear down these walls
Every time you choose to turn away
Is it worth the price you pay
Is there someone who will wait for you
One more time
One more time
Watch me
Fading
I'm losing
All my instincts
Falling into darkness
Tear down these walls for me
Stop me from going under
You are the only one who knows
I'm holding back
It's not too late for me
To keep from sinking further
I'm trying to find my way out
Tear down these walls for me now
Tear down these walls for me
It's not too late for me
Tear down these walls for me
To find the words to say
My thoughts are standing still
Captive inside of me
All emotions start to hide
And nothing's getting trough
Watch me
Fading
I'm losing
All my instincts
Falling into darkness
Tear down these walls for me
Stop me from going under
You are the only one who knows
I'm holding back
It's not too late for me
To keep from sinking further
I'm trying to find my way out
Tear down these walls for me now
So much uncertainty
I don't like this feeling
I'm sinking like a stone
Each time I try to speak
There's a voice I'm hearing
And it changes everything
Watch me
Crawl from the wreckage
Of my silence
Conversation
Failing
Tear down these walls for me
Stop me from going under
You are the only one who knows
I'm holding back
It's not too late for me
To keep from sinking further
I'm trying to find my way out
Tear down these walls
Every time you choose to turn away
Is it worth the price you pay
Is there someone who will wait for you
One more time
One more time
Watch me
Fading
I'm losing
All my instincts
Falling into darkness
Tear down these walls for me
Stop me from going under
You are the only one who knows
I'm holding back
It's not too late for me
To keep from sinking further
I'm trying to find my way out
Tear down these walls for me now
Tear down these walls for me
It's not too late for me
Tear down these walls for me
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
He's not looking to any god to tear down the walls. He's looking to ANYONE. He can't unveil his true feelings on his own, but if someone - anyone - were to force his hand, he'd have to show his true self/feelings.
I agree about the "Comming out and expressing himself", but not about the God comment. It doesn't sound TOO directed towards God, or really anyone for that matter...in my opinion that is.
I really do not feel as if the lyrics are addressing god, yes they could have been written to anyone as in everyone and no one in particular but for me I believe the speaker is adressing himself
holy crap i just relized in octavarium the last stanzas corinate to the songs in order and in the one for these walls it says fail to connect as in a person
According to the line from Octavarium (the song) I think it is about wanting to talk deeply with someone about serious matters but one can't find a way to get to that persons mind. I'm a christian myself, but I can't relate any of the lyrics to God. "Tear down these walls for me" doesn't have to be asked to someone, but it just can be said, for it may fit the song better than things like: "I want to get rid of these walls". I like the lyrics of this song very much. I often have such a situation that I can't find the right words when I really want to talk.
I agree with everyone of your words. Another good Dream Theater song.
I believe this song describes me in every way... "Tear down these walls for me!"
It is not a continuation of Portnoy's alcoholism saga. So far it goes like this: The Glass Prison -> This Dying Soul -> The Root of all Evil.
This song doesn't belong to the saga.
UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING SONG
its anything that is overwhelming you. everyone has their walls that are imprisoning them. whether it be drugs, family problems, or a typical high school kids problem.for me it was being willing to hurt someone who was there for me all the time. its and addiction.this song is amazing.
The lyrical content is a bit cliche. Amazing song musically, however.
It seems to me that the song is about someone really reserved and shy, feeling like they're "fading away". It's a cry for help for anyone to help them drop their inhibitions (tear down these walls) and for someone to understand that they have so much more depth than they put out on display (You are the only one who knows I'm holding back).
I can relate in my own suburban-middle-class-white-kid kind of way. :P