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.
You walk down seeing stars
Like you're just coming off of the ice
You're lit by the passing cars
The third time they passed you tonight
And you're happy to be this scared
And you're thrilled to move this fast
And you leave the curb in mid air
And your foot comes down with a crash
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
But you look so out of place
Underneath flourescent lights
Like you're visible from outer space
Like a brand new sattelite
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
Yeah
But you were born under shattered stars
And they just let you out on the ice
You were made out of seperate parts
And they only came together tonight
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
Like you're just coming off of the ice
You're lit by the passing cars
The third time they passed you tonight
And you're happy to be this scared
And you're thrilled to move this fast
And you leave the curb in mid air
And your foot comes down with a crash
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
But you look so out of place
Underneath flourescent lights
Like you're visible from outer space
Like a brand new sattelite
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
Yeah
But you were born under shattered stars
And they just let you out on the ice
You were made out of seperate parts
And they only came together tonight
They all want to put you at ease
They all want to pay you in cash
They're happy when you're down on your knees
You're finally at the critical mass
You never thought he'd ever believe
You'd go around and call him trash
And now you know he'll never be
You're finally at the critical mass
Lyrics submitted by kazimierz, edited by sister jack
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.
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Thanks to Niiru and the SweetAddy message board for lyric help.
To me the song seems to be about a troubled girl who's been pimped into prostitution / working at a strip club (underneath flourescent lights)
@kazimierz Ha! it's about a gay man, all ten songs in the album are. Also, I don't think these lyrics are correct, not 100%. "You're lit by the passing cars / the third time they passed in the night" Chorus: "You're happy to go down on your knees". It's about making money for sex without setting out to do so. Going out and realizing you're all of a sudden someone whom (older) gay men would pay to have sex with.