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.
A million miles an hour
Swallowed dotted lines tonight
We ingest the pavement
Ignore the passing lines
And the streets
They call our names
They call our names
We'll never feel the same
Tearing through this ghost town
We haunt the lifeless streets
Still it seems
They call our names
They call our names
We'll never feel the same
Tonight will pass us by
As we're breathing in this moon-lit air
Tonight will pass us by
As the world it seems to disappear
But I'm asleep at the wheel
Another destination
Far away from here
Where the streets
They call our names
They call our names
We'll never feel the same again
But tonight will pass us by
As we're breathing in this moon-lit air
Tonight will pass us by
As the world it seems to disappear
But I'm here with you
We will try forever
We will drive forever
I'm here with you
But now I'm asleep at the wheel
And still the streets
They call our names
They call our names
But tonight will pass us by
As we're breathing in this moon-lit air
Tonight will pass us by
As the world it seems to disappear
But I'm here with you
We will try forever
We will drive forever
I'm here with you
We will try forever
We will drive forever
We will drive forever
I'm here with you
With you, with you, with you,
I'm here with.
Swallowed dotted lines tonight
We ingest the pavement
Ignore the passing lines
And the streets
They call our names
They call our names
We'll never feel the same
Tearing through this ghost town
We haunt the lifeless streets
Still it seems
They call our names
They call our names
We'll never feel the same
Tonight will pass us by
As we're breathing in this moon-lit air
Tonight will pass us by
As the world it seems to disappear
But I'm asleep at the wheel
Another destination
Far away from here
Where the streets
They call our names
They call our names
We'll never feel the same again
But tonight will pass us by
As we're breathing in this moon-lit air
Tonight will pass us by
As the world it seems to disappear
But I'm here with you
We will try forever
We will drive forever
I'm here with you
But now I'm asleep at the wheel
And still the streets
They call our names
They call our names
But tonight will pass us by
As we're breathing in this moon-lit air
Tonight will pass us by
As the world it seems to disappear
But I'm here with you
We will try forever
We will drive forever
I'm here with you
We will try forever
We will drive forever
We will drive forever
I'm here with you
With you, with you, with you,
I'm here with.
Lyrics submitted by pewterblaze
Sleep Lyrics as written by Earl Lebieg
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think it's like when you just want to run away. Like when soemthing hurts you or breaks your heart so you just get in your car and drive and don't have anywhere to go. Like the "asleep at the wheel" part is when your not even driving like your brain is on auto pilot and you just know you have to keep moving or else.
I've always loved this song and I agree. It's most likely about wanting just to get away from the stress of everyday life and just driving away with someone you care about. Honestly knowing Dan Marsala and the rest of SOTY it could mean virtually anything.
first to comment .wohoo ... real smooth song ...different from the others ...stands out .... not quite sure what its about .... seems to me he wants to get away with someone ... AWESOME NEW ALBUM !!! WITH YOUY WITH YOU WITH YOU
I think it about being with someone and enjoying it driving in the car in this song just driving wanting to forget something in the past maybe, that just happened? well thats my idea
not sure wat the song's about but it has something to do with forgeting something in the past while driving. I really like this song something draws me to it
I love this song! I instantly thought of a simple summer or early spring night where the weather is just sick and you're just on a late night cruise. Love it! It sounds like he wants to be with someone and just get away with them, even for just one night...that's somethin I would do...
yea it's a bit different to their other stuff. i really like it. i agree with the above comments about how it might be about just wanting to get away with someone. love it.
Great song . I agree, it´s just about when u want to go away and forget about all those bad or not important things. "The streets they call our names " even the streets want him to go away and don´t care about other things, to have some fun. The song always makes me good mood :) I love this band
Does anyone else think it says "We will die forever?"
@Matthew15 I definitely did for years. Ha!
This song has always been a favorite of mine, no matter my mood at the time while listening to it. I lost a friend this past May and now every time I hear this song when I'm feeling down, it makes me feel like he's saying "we will drive forever, I'm here with you." He loved to drive his truck and motorcycle, and he passed in a motorcycle accident. I remember the nights where he would drive my brother and I and our friends all over town, just having such a good time. This song became even more relevant in my life as the years have passed, especially now. Thanks SOTY for this song, it truly has changed my life.