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 would have waited forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
I would have given you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
There's no question, no question at all
So true in the prize, would you wait for me?
All because you got burned, so you took what you needed
Some will always turn away, say it's reason enough
It's another game of exploration
Something calls at reverse and it comes to you
Experience everything as it comes true
So
It will be then
Change
It will happen
See
That we feel it
All
Is completed
Don't you want the world to stop short of giving?
Anytime of night or day, the magic things you love
Everybody hurts when you shout, when you walk away
Talk about it leaving
Talk about it according to you
I would have waited forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
I would have given you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
There's no question about it at all
So in between the perfect flame of you, this love will never let you down
Just take it as it comes, for everything will come around
So
It will be then
Change
It will happen
See
That we feel it
All
Is completed
You put your hand up, stop the flow of where you're going to
It's another game called exploration
How we imagine everything that we think we're going through
It's another reason to make the break
Everyone will move with you now to the riverside
Experience everything, but don't let the land slide
I would have waited, I would have waited forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
I would have given you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
There's no question about it at all
So in between the perfect flame of you, this love will never let you down
Just take it as it comes, for everything will come around
I would have waited, I would have waited forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
To give you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
No question in my body and soul
Forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
I would have given you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
There's no question, no question at all
So true in the prize, would you wait for me?
All because you got burned, so you took what you needed
Some will always turn away, say it's reason enough
It's another game of exploration
Something calls at reverse and it comes to you
Experience everything as it comes true
So
It will be then
Change
It will happen
See
That we feel it
All
Is completed
Don't you want the world to stop short of giving?
Anytime of night or day, the magic things you love
Everybody hurts when you shout, when you walk away
Talk about it leaving
Talk about it according to you
I would have waited forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
I would have given you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
There's no question about it at all
So in between the perfect flame of you, this love will never let you down
Just take it as it comes, for everything will come around
So
It will be then
Change
It will happen
See
That we feel it
All
Is completed
You put your hand up, stop the flow of where you're going to
It's another game called exploration
How we imagine everything that we think we're going through
It's another reason to make the break
Everyone will move with you now to the riverside
Experience everything, but don't let the land slide
I would have waited, I would have waited forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
I would have given you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
There's no question about it at all
So in between the perfect flame of you, this love will never let you down
Just take it as it comes, for everything will come around
I would have waited, I would have waited forever (forever)
For you to return into my life
I would have waited forever (forever)
To give you everything I have
I would have waited forever (forever)
No question in my body and soul
Forever (forever)
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Jon Anderson is supposedly speaking on behalf of God in which God is saying "I would have waited forever, for you to return into my life..."
The meaning of this sentence is directed towards the intended individual - "Don't suicide. Wait for me (GOD) to save you."
"So true in the prize, would you wait for me?" - GOD is saying: Would you wait for me to deliver you? And if you do I'm going to give you a prize/reward.
"All because you got burnt, so you took what you needed" - All because something bad happened to you and you took something to try and kill yourself.
"Some will alwayes turn away, say it's reason enough: - Other people will talk about it, saying you had reason enough to attempt suicide.
"It's another game of exploration" - It's just another chapter in your life / going through changes / exploring-experiencing life
"Something calls at reverse and it comes to you, experience everything as it comes true." - God calls you and it begins the change of you previous bad situation to good.
"So it will be then" - signifies destiny
"Change, it will happen" - your bad situation will turn to good
"See, that we feel it"
"All is completed" - God's plan for this individual has been fulfilled.
"Don't you want the world to stop, short of giving, anytime of night or day the magic things you love." - The world will give you your heart's desire, whether it be money, love, fame, etc...
"So in between the perfect flame of you, this love will never let you down. Just take it as it comes for everything will come around". - So in between the spiritual perfection of your soul, God will never let you down, just take it as it comes for your bad situations will turn to good.
"You put your hand up, stop the flow of where you're going to, it's another game of exploration" - Refering to the 2nd verse, your bad times ended and good times have come and this line signifies that the good times are ending again and more bad times are coming - but they are leading you down a certain life's path/journey/destiny"
"Everyone will move with you now to the riverside. Experience everything but go with the landslide." - The riverside signifies the spiritual divide between this life and the next. Everyone moving with you to the riverside means that this whole song sums up the intended indivduals destiny. Some sort of spirtual leader or Messiah. Going with the landslide could very well mean the apocalypse.
Thank you for the interpretation. I personally don't see the suicide impact on the song. Much else that you said about the lyrics assisted in helping me get some sense out of this song.