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.
The counter culture left us with some redness in the eyes
Faded jeans and politics and shooters in the sky
Diagnosed a menace and I'm broken in the mind
The doctor said the Ritalin would surely work out fine
You're always there, you're always with me
You always fill me up (It's scary out there)
You're always fair, you always miss me,
You always bring me love
Flower rich emotion and I can't control my mind
A drop of anti-matter and I'll blow up all mankind
Maybe I am jaded, or I'm mean, or I am blind
Live in fear of God is real there's nothing left to hide
You're always there, you're always with me
You always fill me up (It's scary out there)
You're always fair, you always miss me
You always bring me love
It's not the same living on the edge
I'm not the same so go ahead and ride
Ride, ride, ride
You're always there, you're always with me
You always fill me up (It's scary out there)
You're always fair, you always miss me
You always bring me love
Never be scared
Faded jeans and politics and shooters in the sky
Diagnosed a menace and I'm broken in the mind
The doctor said the Ritalin would surely work out fine
You're always there, you're always with me
You always fill me up (It's scary out there)
You're always fair, you always miss me,
You always bring me love
Flower rich emotion and I can't control my mind
A drop of anti-matter and I'll blow up all mankind
Maybe I am jaded, or I'm mean, or I am blind
Live in fear of God is real there's nothing left to hide
You're always there, you're always with me
You always fill me up (It's scary out there)
You're always fair, you always miss me
You always bring me love
It's not the same living on the edge
I'm not the same so go ahead and ride
Ride, ride, ride
You're always there, you're always with me
You always fill me up (It's scary out there)
You're always fair, you always miss me
You always bring me love
Never be scared
Lyrics submitted by hardcor_toonz
Onset Lyrics as written by Iv Ashhurst James H.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think its pretty clear that because of all the shit in the world right now people are turning to drugs (ritalin) but now the world has less meaning and is less exciting. The chorus is talking about the drug, how its always there to cheer you up, even though its an "empty" solution. The name Onset loosely reflects this, meaning the onset affects of the drugs. That's just me.