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.
Breaking dawn will bring revenge
We should know by now we're so sick.
It was building up and no one was watching
We're running out of darkened corners to sweep the waste into
In our distracted focus no one had a chance
When we lined up at the edge, we were open wide
Like fools waiting for a sign
It was a free fall
An act of desperation, our backs against the wall
It was a free fall
It was an act of desperation
Down we go
As we all went blind, like an answer to the call of an outstretched hand
The hell we beckoned crept inside
The vultures circling overhead, starving to pick the skeletons we leave
On the eve of the end as the world around us burns [the ashes shall rain]
Somehow we still beg, give us a sign
Dawn brings revenge
Patience won't mend the broken
Promise of something greater
The cables wrapped around our throat, tonight pitch red cast over
Senses adrift, I lay me down
Plague wraps it's arms around me
Down we go
It was a free fall
An act of desperation, our backs against the wall
It was a free fall
It was an act of desperation
Down we go
As we lined up at the edge, we were open wide
Like fools waiting for a sign
We should know by now we're so sick.
It was building up and no one was watching
We're running out of darkened corners to sweep the waste into
In our distracted focus no one had a chance
When we lined up at the edge, we were open wide
Like fools waiting for a sign
It was a free fall
An act of desperation, our backs against the wall
It was a free fall
It was an act of desperation
Down we go
As we all went blind, like an answer to the call of an outstretched hand
The hell we beckoned crept inside
The vultures circling overhead, starving to pick the skeletons we leave
On the eve of the end as the world around us burns [the ashes shall rain]
Somehow we still beg, give us a sign
Dawn brings revenge
Patience won't mend the broken
Promise of something greater
The cables wrapped around our throat, tonight pitch red cast over
Senses adrift, I lay me down
Plague wraps it's arms around me
Down we go
It was a free fall
An act of desperation, our backs against the wall
It was a free fall
It was an act of desperation
Down we go
As we lined up at the edge, we were open wide
Like fools waiting for a sign
Lyrics submitted by TheGunnShow
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
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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
I think it's about the end of something important to you. What if all you wanted right now, was right infront of you and you put so much faith in the fact that you were meant to have it. You have nothing to catch you if you fall, you have no failsafe, open wide to failure. It's about wanting something and not getting it, but dawn brings revenge.
wow...
um.......the song is sick...........i can relate to the song although i dont fully get it.....the lyrics are bootiful........
this song is awesome... i believe it has something to do with religion... waiting for a sign instead of making your own life.
i love this song the chorus is my favourite "IT WAS A FREEE FALLLLLL" they make it sound amazing
I think this song is about a couple that has cheated on each other and they are both confessing. In the first verse talking about how they could fix their relationship. Then in the second, admitting that they can't fix it. Also admitting that they aren't right for each other or have grown apart from each other and should go their separate ways.
sounds like a song about suicide to me "The cables wrapped around our throat, tonight pitch red cast over"
Also, it describes what's happening as they're dying "As we all went blind, like an answer to the call of an outstretched hand The hell we beckoned crept inside The vultures circling overhead, starving to pick the skeletons we leave"
personally, i think this song covers a bigger picture. it's not necessarily about any specific aspect of life, it's more about being young and reaching out for more... adolescence is mad confusing and if you wait around for something to come to you it's a "free fall" and some won't make it through the process of finding solid ground again. just my take on it. who cares about the lyrics with these guys though... the instrumentals are the real focus.
this song is about the end of the world and how people are just waiting around not trying to stop it.... and they line up at the edge waiting for a sign... not doing anything about it themselves.. and how in the midst of everything.. they get scared and take their own lives
I agree with this.. that's exactly what comes to mind when I listen to/read the lyrics. There was some sort of apocalypse, and this group of people are waiting for a sign from God. Even in these dire moments they still keep faith. I think it's almost a double meaning.. hope is a very powerful weapon for humanity, it can lead to blindness and not accepting a situation for what it is, but it can also push us to keep going and to survive when it seems like all is lost.
Most of you are taking everything too literal.
This song is definitely about how religion has made everyone blind and foolish