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.
Sometimes you know you push me so hard
I don't know how I feel
You almost make me doubt I feel at all
It's not as though I always listen
But there's just so much I don't hear
Maybe I'll never be what you want
I know that all you're asking for
Is a little place in my heart
But I don't find it easy to give
Maybe I get a little selfish sometimes
Why shouldn't I?
I used to say I love you
But would it make a difference this time?
[Chorus]
And who am I to tell you that I would never let you down
That no-one else could love you half as much as I do now?
And who am I to tell you I'll always catch you when you fall?
Well I, I wouldn't be myself at all
I wouldn't be myself at all, at all
I always find a reason why I didn't put you first
It's not that complicated I know
I really hate it when you shake your head like this ain't gonna work
Maybe you'll never reap what you sow
[Chorus]
I didn't want to do what everybody does
And hide the truth to find we never knew a thing about love
'Cause this is real life, real love
And knowing what it comes down to
It just might be enough
[Chorus x 2]
I don't know how I feel
You almost make me doubt I feel at all
It's not as though I always listen
But there's just so much I don't hear
Maybe I'll never be what you want
I know that all you're asking for
Is a little place in my heart
But I don't find it easy to give
Maybe I get a little selfish sometimes
Why shouldn't I?
I used to say I love you
But would it make a difference this time?
[Chorus]
And who am I to tell you that I would never let you down
That no-one else could love you half as much as I do now?
And who am I to tell you I'll always catch you when you fall?
Well I, I wouldn't be myself at all
I wouldn't be myself at all, at all
I always find a reason why I didn't put you first
It's not that complicated I know
I really hate it when you shake your head like this ain't gonna work
Maybe you'll never reap what you sow
[Chorus]
I didn't want to do what everybody does
And hide the truth to find we never knew a thing about love
'Cause this is real life, real love
And knowing what it comes down to
It just might be enough
[Chorus x 2]
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
What I get from the song is that he keeps hurting a particualr person that he really loves, despite that he keeps hurting that person. He doesnt want to make any promises and pretend that everything will be ok when he doesnt trust himself to make it so. Also I see it from the view that a person is confused as to how they feel about a somebody that they know feels something for them so again dont want to make any promises and hurt said person.