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'll write it down
Where you can see
I have gone to sleep
Try to relate
Can't give in to your temptations (temptations)
All your hopes and dreams, I'll take away
Its time that I forget everything
you've taught me (you've taught me)
When I looked up to you
Fall to your knees
And Give up your aspirations (aspirations)
Fall in to your knees
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
harder everyday, day
I'm breaking down
Behind this fear
If I don't go to my addiction
Make it through yourself
All your hopes and dreams, I'll take away
Its time that I forget everything
you've taught me (you've taught me)
When I looked up to you
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
hard everyday, day
I look inside myself for strength
Like a million times before
You'll never let it in because
I know you said
I know you said
I know, I know, I know, I know
Fall, I'll show you where this goes (where this goes)
How can you live this way
I'll never forget (Never forget)
Where I come from, Where I've been
I'll never forget you
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
harder everyday, day
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
harder everyday, day
You've lost it all
Where you can see
I have gone to sleep
Try to relate
Can't give in to your temptations (temptations)
All your hopes and dreams, I'll take away
Its time that I forget everything
you've taught me (you've taught me)
When I looked up to you
Fall to your knees
And Give up your aspirations (aspirations)
Fall in to your knees
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
harder everyday, day
I'm breaking down
Behind this fear
If I don't go to my addiction
Make it through yourself
All your hopes and dreams, I'll take away
Its time that I forget everything
you've taught me (you've taught me)
When I looked up to you
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
hard everyday, day
I look inside myself for strength
Like a million times before
You'll never let it in because
I know you said
I know you said
I know, I know, I know, I know
Fall, I'll show you where this goes (where this goes)
How can you live this way
I'll never forget (Never forget)
Where I come from, Where I've been
I'll never forget you
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
harder everyday, day
So how can you expect
me to just close my eyes
And forget everything
Defending you is getting
harder everyday, day
You've lost it all
Lyrics submitted by razorb1ade.romance
Defend You Lyrics as written by Neil Boshart Joshua Bradford
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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this is my favorite part of the song--->
"So how can you expect me to just close my eyes And forget your mistakes"