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.
Won't somebody come along
And teach me how to keep it alive?
To survive
Come along and show me something
That I never knew in your eyes
Take away the tourniquet
I used to be so full of my confidence
I used to know just what I wanted
And just where to go
More than ever I could use a coincidence
But now I walk alone and talk about it when I know
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
Let it on, I'll cut you off
When you're screaming into the phone
Hard to own
Anyway, I wanna let you know
That everything is on hold
What you gonna do to me?
You used to be so warm and affectionate
All the little things I used to hear my fairy say
But now you're quick to get into your regret
I'll take the fall and now you got to give it all away
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
Hey, what would you say if I stayed?
Stayed for a while, if I may
Say it again and I'll come around
But not for the last time
Hey, what would you say if I changed?
I'll change everything but my name
Play it again and I'll come around
Come around, but not for the last time, not for the last time
You used to be so warm and affectionate
I used to know just what I wanted
And just where to go
And now you're quick to get into your regret
And now I walk alone and talk about it when I know
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta get away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
And teach me how to keep it alive?
To survive
Come along and show me something
That I never knew in your eyes
Take away the tourniquet
I used to be so full of my confidence
I used to know just what I wanted
And just where to go
More than ever I could use a coincidence
But now I walk alone and talk about it when I know
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
Let it on, I'll cut you off
When you're screaming into the phone
Hard to own
Anyway, I wanna let you know
That everything is on hold
What you gonna do to me?
You used to be so warm and affectionate
All the little things I used to hear my fairy say
But now you're quick to get into your regret
I'll take the fall and now you got to give it all away
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess I ought to walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
I don't wanna have to, but I will
If that's what I'm supposed to do
We don't wanna set up for the kill
But that's what I'm about to do
Hey, what would you say if I stayed?
Stayed for a while, if I may
Say it again and I'll come around
But not for the last time
Hey, what would you say if I changed?
I'll change everything but my name
Play it again and I'll come around
Come around, but not for the last time, not for the last time
You used to be so warm and affectionate
I used to know just what I wanted
And just where to go
And now you're quick to get into your regret
And now I walk alone and talk about it when I know
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta walk away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
Hey, oh yeah, how long?
I guess you gotta get away
Hey, oh yeah, so long
What you gonna do today?
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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.
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Re: "Take away the tourniquet" - some good thoughts already into a great line.
Another interesting fact about tourniquets is that generally speaking in usage outside of a hospital they are a last ditch effort to save a life. They are only to be used when there is going to be enough blood loss from a limb to potentially kill someone because using this method ultimately cuts off all blood flow to the limb, leaving no choice but amputation.
Sooooo possibly AK is suggesting that he'd rather die than live without this aspect of his life. Overall a straightforward song, but this first verse is a little trickier than meets the eye.
@r1vers tourniquets are also used for IV drug injection.. knowing Anthony that is the use I assume he is referring to.