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.
I feel drawn to revolving doors
It makes it easy to get back to where I was before
I’m an optimist when I forget to be a realist at times like these
With a little time we’ll find out why…
What we already knew
Show me the brighter side
The one where we both make it out alright
I feel like it’ll all work out this time
If we lean towards the brighter side
I bought us two round trip tickets to nowhere
So if it’s lonely it’s easy enough to get back here
I’m a pessimist when I forget to be an optimist at times like these
It takes time but we’ll find out why we never worked out before
Show me the brighter side
The one where we both make it out alright
I feel like it’ll all work out this time
If we lean towards the brighter side
Somewhere there is somebody waiting to break my heart again
And it’s been so long I feel like I’m ready to let them
And who knows maybe I’ll surprise myself
And who knows maybe you’ll be surprised by me
I’m a realist when I forget to be anything else
So let’s invent a new lie we can build upon for ourselves
And then show me the brighter side…
It makes it easy to get back to where I was before
I’m an optimist when I forget to be a realist at times like these
With a little time we’ll find out why…
What we already knew
Show me the brighter side
The one where we both make it out alright
I feel like it’ll all work out this time
If we lean towards the brighter side
I bought us two round trip tickets to nowhere
So if it’s lonely it’s easy enough to get back here
I’m a pessimist when I forget to be an optimist at times like these
It takes time but we’ll find out why we never worked out before
Show me the brighter side
The one where we both make it out alright
I feel like it’ll all work out this time
If we lean towards the brighter side
Somewhere there is somebody waiting to break my heart again
And it’s been so long I feel like I’m ready to let them
And who knows maybe I’ll surprise myself
And who knows maybe you’ll be surprised by me
I’m a realist when I forget to be anything else
So let’s invent a new lie we can build upon for ourselves
And then show me the brighter side…
Lyrics submitted by Shaolin2419
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