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.
Why'd you go and break what's already broken?
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
How long till this goes away?
I try to remember to forget you
But I break down every time I do
It's left me less than zero
Beat down and bruised
I can't see him with you
Why'd you go and break what's already broken?
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
I can't seem to get my heart over you
'Cause you creep into everything I do
And now I'm dying to know
How he touches you
I can't see him with you
Why'd you go and break what's already broken?
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
How long till this goes away?
She said she wants to be friends
I took a big step back
She said, she said she said she's sorry
With one finger, I said, "Fuck that"
I can tell you're lying when your lips move
'Cause of one lie: "It's not me, it's you."
It's left me less than zero
Beat down and bruised
I can't see him with you
Why'd you go and break what's already broken?
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
Why'd you go and break what's already broken
I try to take a breath but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
How long till this goes away?
She said she wants to be friends
I took a big step back
She said, she said, she said she's sorry
With one finger...
With one finger, I said fuck that
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
How long till this goes away?
I try to remember to forget you
But I break down every time I do
It's left me less than zero
Beat down and bruised
I can't see him with you
Why'd you go and break what's already broken?
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
I can't seem to get my heart over you
'Cause you creep into everything I do
And now I'm dying to know
How he touches you
I can't see him with you
Why'd you go and break what's already broken?
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
How long till this goes away?
She said she wants to be friends
I took a big step back
She said, she said she said she's sorry
With one finger, I said, "Fuck that"
I can tell you're lying when your lips move
'Cause of one lie: "It's not me, it's you."
It's left me less than zero
Beat down and bruised
I can't see him with you
Why'd you go and break what's already broken?
I try to take a breath, but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
Why'd you go and break what's already broken
I try to take a breath but I'm already choking
'Cause everywhere I look, I can see how you hold him
How long till this goes away?
How long till this goes away?
She said she wants to be friends
I took a big step back
She said, she said, she said she's sorry
With one finger...
With one finger, I said fuck that
Lyrics submitted by Andromedae
How Long Lyrics as written by Ross Hanson Lloyd Garvey
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, HYVETOWN MUSIC INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Same here, nate.