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.
Watch the waves so far away
They're washing 'cross the paths that I have made
Leaving all my sins, I turn away
Like soaring birds I watch my sorrows play
Don't you know, I've left and gone away
You're knocking on the door I closed today
And everything looks brighter
Waves at play just sooth my pain away
Felt so good to see the sun
I choose my time before I choose the wine
Floating cross the waves the silence runs
My thoughts can cure but now my sorrow's done
Don't you know, I've left and gone away
You're knocking on the door I closed today
And everything looks brighter
The waves at play, they sooth my pain away
They're washing 'cross the paths that I have made
Leaving all my sins, I turn away
Like soaring birds I watch my sorrows play
Don't you know, I've left and gone away
You're knocking on the door I closed today
And everything looks brighter
Waves at play just sooth my pain away
Felt so good to see the sun
I choose my time before I choose the wine
Floating cross the waves the silence runs
My thoughts can cure but now my sorrow's done
Don't you know, I've left and gone away
You're knocking on the door I closed today
And everything looks brighter
The waves at play, they sooth my pain away
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.
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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
There's a mistake, it's "I choose my time before I choose the one", not "I choose my time before I choose the wine"
The lyrics are wrong in a few places, as is usually the case with the way the lyrics to this album are copied from site to site. However, as I know the lyrics, these are the absolute best on the album.
A true story follows. I'd been searching for this album since high school (1992 or so), when I saw the video for "Catch The Breeze." At the time I did get to buy the CD (1997), I was discovering that I wanted to possibly leave my wife for various reasons I won't discuss here. The disillusionment I was feeling seemed to be echoed in some of the songs, especially "Waves," the chorus of which inspired me to make my plans to leave her.
Years later, Halsted wrote in a Mojave 3 song called "Big Star Baby," this line: "Every woman I've ever loved has been some kind of fuck-up." Many other songs he has written have reminded me of my past relationships in different ways. I hope to shake his hand one day and tell him this. I know he'd appreciate it, even to hear it one more time--after all, lots of us could say the same.
Listened to this when fighting to overcome an addiction that ruined a lot of good things in my life. Thanks, Slowdive. On a lighter note, it is just wonderful and dreamy!
no comments, that makes me sad :(
To me this songs about suicide (not to sound grim or anything) especially the lines "don't you know, I've left and gone away/youre knocking on the door I've closed today/and everything looks brighter" or at least about something ending, like a bad relationship (??)
This song reminds me of Virginia Woolf. Like soaring birds I watch my sorrows play.