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've faced it, a life wasted
I'm never going back again
Haven't tasted it, a life wasted
I'm never going back again
I've escaped it, a life wasted
I'm never going back again
I'm never going back again
Haven't tasted it, a life wasted
I'm never going back again
I've escaped it, a life wasted
I'm never going back again
Lyrics submitted by N0 C0DE 79
Wasted Reprise Lyrics as written by Eddie Vedder Stone Gossard
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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Obviously about one of the band members making it big and escaping their previous life (most likely their family upbringing). I don't know who wrote this but it could be about anyone or for anyone.. Great lyrics.
It's a softer version of the chorus from Life Wasted.
can anyone tell what's the idea of putting this song on the album?
Just got back from the concert in Albany, NY. They opened with this and went directly into Life Wasted afterwards. Possibly the best opening to any concert I've been to, and I've been to alot. It was almost surreal, the stage was totally black except for a blueish-greenish spotlight that shown down on Eddie...amazing
"can anyone tell what's the idea of putting this song on the album? "
I've heard people say (and I agree) that Wasted Reprise kind of separates the last three songs from the rest of the album. Maybe not really separates... but it kind of groups them together and makes them fit together more obviously, the way they should.
this song is one of my absolute favourites from the new album - because of it's simplicity.
it reinforces the message of Life Wasted, but kind of in a different way.
The church-organ-like sound throughout the song indicates to me that it was a kind of spiritual revelation for Eddie. he suddenly had a revelation where he realised he was wasting his life on drugs, publicity, etc. and it was at that defining moment where he searched his soul and made a commitment to never go back to wasting his life again.
I also feel that lead guitarist Mike McCready would have been a big part of making this song. Because he almost died once from a drug overdose, and there was a point where he realised that this life wasted was not worthwhile, and made a commitment to never go back again.
I think this kind of goes with the previous song, Gone. He escaped a life wasted in the confines of the city and is never going back again.
This just reinforces the idea of Life Wasted, to not take life for granted. It's like after a funeral, when you have a newfound appreciation for life, but in a couple of days that feelings begins to wear off of you. This song is reinforcing that idea so the effect never wears off of us.
this song, along with a lot of the album is about that guy from the ramones that eddie was friends with that died
no richie. any who the organ in this song is amazing.