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.
Find answers on the street
In cracks between my feet
But I can't see
Try so hard in vain
To wipe away the stain
Of everyday pain
And you never see me walking towards you
If you did I would surely fade
And you never feel me trying to hold you
If you did I would surely fade away
With the wounded in my way
There's so much to say
But not today
I wonder if it will turn
Not fall apart and burn
When will I learn
And you never see me walking towards you
If you did I would surely fade
And you never see me trying to hold you
If you did I would surely fade away
In cracks between my feet
But I can't see
Try so hard in vain
To wipe away the stain
Of everyday pain
And you never see me walking towards you
If you did I would surely fade
And you never feel me trying to hold you
If you did I would surely fade away
With the wounded in my way
There's so much to say
But not today
I wonder if it will turn
Not fall apart and burn
When will I learn
And you never see me walking towards you
If you did I would surely fade
And you never see me trying to hold you
If you did I would surely fade away
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.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I'm not so sure about this one, but it has a special place in my heart regardless.
To me this track is about someone who the singer wishes would see them differently and wonders if that feeling will pass. All the while they know that if the other person did see them the way they wanted, they probably wouldn't be the person they are.
Amusingly (given the submitter's name) I associate this track with 'What Else Is There?' by Royksopp, which to me has a very similar theme. And both this and that track are track 7 on their respective albums... Coincidence ? Or something more sinister ? :-)
I think that this song is about a girl who's out of a relationship...but still ''in'' to it..still in love with the other person...And that other person doesn't seem to care about the girls feelings...<br /> so when I listen to this song it makes me think that the girl has thought so much of her lost love and lover...that If that other person finally realises how much she loves him...it wouldn't matter to her after all that she's been through,...<br /> But that's only my feeling about this song...It's an incredible song afterall..<br /> very moving...