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.
You swear you recall nothing at all
That could make you come back down
You made up your mind to leave it all behind
Now you're forced to fight it out
You fall away from your past
But it's following you now
You fall away from your past
But it's following you
You left something undone; it's now your rerun
It's the one you can't erase
You should have made it right, so you wouldn't have to fight
To put a smile back on your face
You fall away from your past
But it's following you
You fall away from your past
But it's following you now
You fall away
You fall away
Something I've done that I can't outrun
Something I've done that I can't outrun
Maybe you should wait, maybe you should run
But there's something you've said that can't be undone
And you fall away from your past
But it's following you
You fall away from your past
It's following you now
You fall away from your past
It's following you
You fall away from your past
It's following you
You fall away
It's following you
You fall away
It's following you
You fall away
It's following you
You fall away
That could make you come back down
You made up your mind to leave it all behind
Now you're forced to fight it out
You fall away from your past
But it's following you now
You fall away from your past
But it's following you
You left something undone; it's now your rerun
It's the one you can't erase
You should have made it right, so you wouldn't have to fight
To put a smile back on your face
You fall away from your past
But it's following you
You fall away from your past
But it's following you now
You fall away
You fall away
Something I've done that I can't outrun
Something I've done that I can't outrun
Maybe you should wait, maybe you should run
But there's something you've said that can't be undone
And you fall away from your past
But it's following you
You fall away from your past
It's following you now
You fall away from your past
It's following you
You fall away from your past
It's following you
You fall away
It's following you
You fall away
It's following you
You fall away
It's following you
You fall away
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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."
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.
A memory that haunts you. Thats what I get from the music.
I just see the consequences from running away from life. Your own issues. Your problems. When ultimately just leaving them behind doesn't change that they're there. Things have a way of catching back up with you. Of course that's just what I hear.
I love How To Save a Life, it's such an amazing CD! This song is another one of my favorites, it makes me think of a situation I've been in for a while now.
i love this song. relates to me soo much.
looove it.
the part "something i've done that i can't outrun" is soooo amazing. the way he sings that line, it almost makes me cry, it's so passionate.
i think that he is her past and even though she broke up with him and is running away, he's chasing her. I think he knew that he shouldn't be with her but he went against his better instincts because "something i've done, that i can't outrun" its cool. I can almost like picture him running after her but he can never get her back. sick song!
He's singing to an addict that can't use drugs to run away anymore.
He's singing to an addict that can't use drugs to run away anymore.
He's singing to an addict that can't use drugs to run away anymore.
i agree w rememberance..but i remember someone once telling me any song can be interrupted about drugs, love, or god..thought it was interesting and true. Guess it just depends on what ur thinking about