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 am up
To my neck
In the shit of mankind
What belongs to the world now
Belongs to the flies
Octophobic translations
And 8, by 8, the window
Withers farther from the soul
Your soul, in a ring, on a spoon
Humans clinging
Entrapment of shadows
The webs and the echoes
That pushpin the mildew
They don't have the courage
To know the things you do.
That little thing you kept inside
To be sure you'd always know
The man you know is never coming home
And it's sad to think
They'll never really know.
Translate the parting duo
That is a chemical reaction
And a widow
And weep, by tribes
And tongues
The universe has come so far
To only come undone?
Well this is the answer
You've been waiting for child
Transmissions cut to clearance
And the skin is wild
I hope you fucking choke on your own spit
The dialect, the derelict
This babel's past the limit
And I've carried off your cure
For far too
Long
Perhaps it's time for you to suffer some (x8)
To my neck
In the shit of mankind
What belongs to the world now
Belongs to the flies
Octophobic translations
And 8, by 8, the window
Withers farther from the soul
Your soul, in a ring, on a spoon
Humans clinging
Entrapment of shadows
The webs and the echoes
That pushpin the mildew
They don't have the courage
To know the things you do.
That little thing you kept inside
To be sure you'd always know
The man you know is never coming home
And it's sad to think
They'll never really know.
Translate the parting duo
That is a chemical reaction
And a widow
And weep, by tribes
And tongues
The universe has come so far
To only come undone?
Well this is the answer
You've been waiting for child
Transmissions cut to clearance
And the skin is wild
I hope you fucking choke on your own spit
The dialect, the derelict
This babel's past the limit
And I've carried off your cure
For far too
Long
Perhaps it's time for you to suffer some (x8)
Lyrics submitted by Schizima
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Ok... anyone got a link to this one? I'd love to hear it.
Looks like it might've been the version they created before they came up with the whole Lost Keys / Stoned-guy-in-a-hospital idea...
There do seem to be a few themes in similarity though... judging by the lyrics. I guess looking at the general split and disorientated nature of mankind (seems to be a recurring theme in the 10,000 days album, looking at other songs like Vicarious and Right In Two) The persona in this song also seems to be revealing and expressing his feelings, kinda the same as the album version of this song where he is letting go of all he has to express from inside himself.
I'd love to hear this.
Hell yeah i second JoNNieS K motion!!!!!!!!!!! anyone?!
I have not heard this, however after reading it, I see it more as what the e.t. Said to him on the dmt trip being talked about in the album version... He was told something but forgot his pen. It was a message to pass on to mankind through him. The message speaks of the earth belonging to the flies as in the human race will sease to exist. speaks of the non exisitance of god and that his followers will never know what they wasted their time falsely believing in.... The user has opened his "third eye" previously via other "trips" and has probably engaged in a search for his own existence and the existence of mankind and may be searching into the destiny of mankind. Plain and simple the e.t. Is telling him you are a cancer of the earth there is no hope, the things you falsely believe in will lead to your demise...