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’ve already come to terms
With bridges I have burned
We all make mistakes
Keep preparing for the worst
So it won’t seem adverse
Just like we rehearsed
Click, two, three, heartbreaking music
So close to loss we use it
How much honesty’s healthy
Say what’s on your mind
The only way to be
The drugs are only for dessert
Do your homework first
We don’t administer the cure for that thirst
‘Cause it’s always been heartbreaking music
So close to death we use it
Killing
Writing this over and over
It will never mend
I am the jest malignant cell
Playwright to your hell
I think I knew you well
But I wish I were as smart as you
I could I have changed your mind
Would of, should of, the question ‘til I die
But it’s always been heartbreaking music
So close to life we abuse it Killing
With bridges I have burned
We all make mistakes
Keep preparing for the worst
So it won’t seem adverse
Just like we rehearsed
Click, two, three, heartbreaking music
So close to loss we use it
How much honesty’s healthy
Say what’s on your mind
The only way to be
The drugs are only for dessert
Do your homework first
We don’t administer the cure for that thirst
‘Cause it’s always been heartbreaking music
So close to death we use it
Killing
Writing this over and over
It will never mend
I am the jest malignant cell
Playwright to your hell
I think I knew you well
But I wish I were as smart as you
I could I have changed your mind
Would of, should of, the question ‘til I die
But it’s always been heartbreaking music
So close to life we abuse it Killing
Lyrics submitted by BrandSpankingNew
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i dono if im right but
i saw the video and im thinking this song is about their former drummer that killed himself
Yea fraildream it is. The song and video are awsome!
I love this song, the video is cool too. Derrick will be greatly missed.
the whole of this album is influenced by derricks death (it was wrote in 2 weeks)
good record and great intro into it!
derrick was fucking awsome! r.i.p!
Yup, this is Lagwagon at their most personal. The whole "Resolve" album is really really well done. I didn't know it was written in 2 weeks!
It's definitively about their old drummer, but I also think it's about people we've hurt and how some things will never heal completely with time. It might seem like they do, but the scars will always be there and can open up as wounds anytime. Such a powerful song.
"I am the jest malignant cell" I think this line refers to how thoughts of guilt can perpetuate into something worse or how depression and suicidal thoughts start out as something small and slowly take over your mind.