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.
My life is a marathon our milk and honey days are gone
the shortwaves have taken the long way home
the four corners are neatly folded sound the bell
the war is ver
walls are just sand and paper and sin
when the earth's moving we're all travelling
no one ever keeps all their belongings
they have taken all precaution and with it all the safety lost
in translation of protecting the family
we are hiding underneath the bed
we fear we'll catch our death
if our neighbours have some secrets from us
when the earth's moving we're all travelling
no one ever keeps all their belongings
the rising tide of traffic on the east side of town
is routine or frustrating or you're walking
they all smoke inside their sweaters, drinking their mouths shut money
is a disaster if this is what you buy with it
i take a deep breath i let freedom ring
everyone can keep all their belongings
the evening so long
i think i might go out
on a night like this in late july
the shortwaves have taken the long way home
the four corners are neatly folded sound the bell
the war is ver
walls are just sand and paper and sin
when the earth's moving we're all travelling
no one ever keeps all their belongings
they have taken all precaution and with it all the safety lost
in translation of protecting the family
we are hiding underneath the bed
we fear we'll catch our death
if our neighbours have some secrets from us
when the earth's moving we're all travelling
no one ever keeps all their belongings
the rising tide of traffic on the east side of town
is routine or frustrating or you're walking
they all smoke inside their sweaters, drinking their mouths shut money
is a disaster if this is what you buy with it
i take a deep breath i let freedom ring
everyone can keep all their belongings
the evening so long
i think i might go out
on a night like this in late july
Lyrics submitted by woodwell
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
"i take a deep breath i let freedom ring..." very poignant even, zoom.