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'm down again
And I don't know how to tell you
But maybe this time I can't come back
Because I might be too far down
I wish for real
That I could turn it on and off
Like hot and cold and up and down
Because I'm down again
I'm too far down
I couldn't begin to smile
Because I can't even laugh or cry
Because I just can't do it
If it was so easy to be happy
Why am I so down?
All I can do is sit and wonder if it's going to end
Or if I should just go away forever
When I sit and think
I wish that I just could die
Or let someone else be happy
By setting my own self free
And you don't want the emotion
Because the taste it leaves is for real
But nothing's ever real until it's gone
And I might be too far down
And is this just another thrown away
Or is this the end of the whole stupid road
But you wouldn't want to know how I feel anyway
Because the darkest hole is at the end of the road
I'm down again
And I guess I'm not the only one who dreams
That there's not any way to tell you
Because I might be too far down
And I don't know how to tell you
But maybe this time I can't come back
Because I might be too far down
I wish for real
That I could turn it on and off
Like hot and cold and up and down
Because I'm down again
I'm too far down
I couldn't begin to smile
Because I can't even laugh or cry
Because I just can't do it
If it was so easy to be happy
Why am I so down?
All I can do is sit and wonder if it's going to end
Or if I should just go away forever
When I sit and think
I wish that I just could die
Or let someone else be happy
By setting my own self free
And you don't want the emotion
Because the taste it leaves is for real
But nothing's ever real until it's gone
And I might be too far down
And is this just another thrown away
Or is this the end of the whole stupid road
But you wouldn't want to know how I feel anyway
Because the darkest hole is at the end of the road
I'm down again
And I guess I'm not the only one who dreams
That there's not any way to tell you
Because I might be too far down
Lyrics submitted by rise_from_ruin
Too Far Down Lyrics as written by Bob Mould
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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It's pretty obvious this song is about depression and suicidal thoughts.
I know someone who used to annoy the hell out of me when I was down because she thought happiness and unhappiness is something that can be changed as simple as Bob wishes it was like hot and cold.
song is fairly self-explanatory, but Bob Mould's voice is so fucking powerful behind acoustic guitar....
song is fairly self-explanatory, but Bob Mould's voice is so fucking powerful behind acoustic guitar....