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.
A lost sense of direction
Nobody knows my name
Confidence, correction
I don't know how to play that game
A straight line is quicker
A straight line would make me fast
I've burned my nose enough to know
That straight lines never last
Swallow your soul, drink from this life
As you choke on your pride
We all look elsewhere
We all look elsewhere
It's safer inside doors
Nobody has to flee
A broken vessel passed the rocks and out to sea
Waiting, wanting, mad with purpose
Now we come to talk to one
Who has the answers to how
Swallow your soul, drink from this life
As you choke on your pride
Don't waste your time if you've got it
The tides are turning now
You are not alone
They gave you their worst and you bought it
The lie has been exposed
You are not alone
Like winter that comes quick
In early September
The rain clouds that washed me
Are what I remember
The stones that I threw piled high like a mountain
Which I had to climb before I reach the fountain
If life a riddle then riddle me this
The blood tasted sweet as it passed by my lips
Don't, don't waste your time
Don't, don't waste your time
Don't waste your time
Don't waste your time if you've got it
The tides are turning now
You're not alone
Liar, liar
They gave you their worst and you bought it
The lie has been exposed
You are not alone
Nobody knows my name
Confidence, correction
I don't know how to play that game
A straight line is quicker
A straight line would make me fast
I've burned my nose enough to know
That straight lines never last
Swallow your soul, drink from this life
As you choke on your pride
We all look elsewhere
We all look elsewhere
It's safer inside doors
Nobody has to flee
A broken vessel passed the rocks and out to sea
Waiting, wanting, mad with purpose
Now we come to talk to one
Who has the answers to how
Swallow your soul, drink from this life
As you choke on your pride
Don't waste your time if you've got it
The tides are turning now
You are not alone
They gave you their worst and you bought it
The lie has been exposed
You are not alone
Like winter that comes quick
In early September
The rain clouds that washed me
Are what I remember
The stones that I threw piled high like a mountain
Which I had to climb before I reach the fountain
If life a riddle then riddle me this
The blood tasted sweet as it passed by my lips
Don't, don't waste your time
Don't, don't waste your time
Don't waste your time
Don't waste your time if you've got it
The tides are turning now
You're not alone
Liar, liar
They gave you their worst and you bought it
The lie has been exposed
You are not alone
Lyrics submitted by eltroyo11
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.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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.
"The blood tasted sweet as it passed by my lips"
I think that line really has to do with Communion. The wine represents the blood of Jesus Christ which we are cleansed by and forgiven of our sins.
That line makes a lot more sense now.