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 feel the city breathe at night
Beneath the stars and meteor lights
And I've got nothing to lose
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
The streets outside, they burn with light
But I am dead on the inside
I think these pills are to blame
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
And I got romantic ideas
But they're not meant for you
And my bed's filled with black roses
To show that our love is through
I hope the fire licks my lips
And pulls me close against the wrist
This town will go down in flames
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
And I've got romantic ideas
But they're not meant for you
And my best feeling, black roses
To show that our love is through
Like a broken mirror, they're pieces of me
Like a broken mirror, they're pieces of me
They're pieces of me
They're pieces of me now
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the my lonely
Drink up the my lonely
Drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Beneath the stars and meteor lights
And I've got nothing to lose
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
The streets outside, they burn with light
But I am dead on the inside
I think these pills are to blame
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
And I got romantic ideas
But they're not meant for you
And my bed's filled with black roses
To show that our love is through
I hope the fire licks my lips
And pulls me close against the wrist
This town will go down in flames
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
And I've got romantic ideas
But they're not meant for you
And my best feeling, black roses
To show that our love is through
Like a broken mirror, they're pieces of me
Like a broken mirror, they're pieces of me
They're pieces of me
They're pieces of me now
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the loneliness
Drink up, drink up
Drink up the my lonely
Drink up the my lonely
Drink up
Drink up the loneliness
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
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Yea its that feeling u get when you try and get over something. The alcohol or drinking is the metaphor for his lack of faith. From that point on his guilt comes back