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.
Did you stop to think, when we moved by the sea?
When the seasons changed
(When the seasons changed)
They changed for a reason,
I'm not talking lightly, I don't need to set the scene
We're living in it
(We're living in it)
It's in everything we see
[Chorus:]
I won't go back to the sea
Whatever's pulling you isn't pulling me
I won't go back to the sea
Did you really think, that this is what we need?
Well I'm dragging my feet
(Avoiding sleep)
Trying to make you see
It's reached the situation where it's the job or me
It's the job or me
If you're asking me, then the job is part of me
[Chorus]
It's not what you put in
But what you take away
The least you're counting on (ahhhh)
Now that you're counting down the days
You've taken opportunities (ahhhh)
Received nothing in return
This place that you call paradise (ahhhh)
Will teach you a lesson you deserve
[Chorus x2]
When the seasons changed
(When the seasons changed)
They changed for a reason,
I'm not talking lightly, I don't need to set the scene
We're living in it
(We're living in it)
It's in everything we see
[Chorus:]
I won't go back to the sea
Whatever's pulling you isn't pulling me
I won't go back to the sea
Did you really think, that this is what we need?
Well I'm dragging my feet
(Avoiding sleep)
Trying to make you see
It's reached the situation where it's the job or me
It's the job or me
If you're asking me, then the job is part of me
[Chorus]
It's not what you put in
But what you take away
The least you're counting on (ahhhh)
Now that you're counting down the days
You've taken opportunities (ahhhh)
Received nothing in return
This place that you call paradise (ahhhh)
Will teach you a lesson you deserve
[Chorus x2]
Lyrics submitted by CptProfanity
Back to the Sea Lyrics as written by David Craig Barry Hyde
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Yea.. The Line you helpfully missed out is...
The least you're counting on.
if you don't know the whole lyrics, Don't submit them.. its pointless.
Great song though.
i always heard it as
"it's not what you put in but what you take away that leaves you wanting more"
The line is; "the least you want to know"
I think this is about thinking carefully about your actions, and how things can have knock on consequences...