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.
Giving every moment I had
Still I can never seem to keep up with you
You're done with one mile and onto another one thousand
Still I can never seem to keep up with you
I know you'll be better off without me when I'm gone
You know you're beautiful, you're beautiful
Shine on
You were made to
Shine on
And you know I love you
And even if we can or can't be friends,
I'll be with you until the very end
So shine on
You were made to
It's keeping me awake every night
But I can never seem to give up on you
I send up a prayer, then I'm onto another one thousand
But I can never seem to give up on you
I know you'll be better off without me when I'm gone
You know you're beautiful, you're beautiful
Shine on
You were made to
Shine on
And you know I love you
And even if we can or can't be friends,
I'll be with you until the very end
So shine on
Yeah
Nobody's wrong
Nobody's right
Keep moving on
Shine on
Yeah
You were made to
Shine on
Shine on
You were made to
Shine on
And you know I love you
And even if we can or can't be friends,
You're gonna be brighter than you've ever been
So shine on
You're gonna be just fine
Ooh, you're gonna be all right, love
You're gonna be just fine
Ooh, you're gonna be all right, love
Still I can never seem to keep up with you
You're done with one mile and onto another one thousand
Still I can never seem to keep up with you
I know you'll be better off without me when I'm gone
You know you're beautiful, you're beautiful
Shine on
You were made to
Shine on
And you know I love you
And even if we can or can't be friends,
I'll be with you until the very end
So shine on
You were made to
It's keeping me awake every night
But I can never seem to give up on you
I send up a prayer, then I'm onto another one thousand
But I can never seem to give up on you
I know you'll be better off without me when I'm gone
You know you're beautiful, you're beautiful
Shine on
You were made to
Shine on
And you know I love you
And even if we can or can't be friends,
I'll be with you until the very end
So shine on
Yeah
Nobody's wrong
Nobody's right
Keep moving on
Shine on
Yeah
You were made to
Shine on
Shine on
You were made to
Shine on
And you know I love you
And even if we can or can't be friends,
You're gonna be brighter than you've ever been
So shine on
You're gonna be just fine
Ooh, you're gonna be all right, love
You're gonna be just fine
Ooh, you're gonna be all right, love
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.
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”
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,
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.
the song meaning is obvious... him wishing someone luck even if he isn't there anymore to be friends with them