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.
Not a lot of good can come from this
And there's not much that you've shown
While you ratted me out
I never minded too much
I'm just the person that needed you more
(Chorus)
Did you fall, did you break?
Did you make a mistake?
Did you lose how it felt to win?
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
If I showed you my biggest scar
Where I once had a heart
I'm sorry, but you're all that I know
You know that you don't compromise
The place you wanted to be
When you were down on your luck
When you were killing us
Did you ever stop to think of me?
(Chorus)
Did you fall, did you break?
Did you make a mistake?
Did you lose how it felt to win?
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
No matter how far I go
You will always be home
I'm sorry, but you're all that I know
I'm sorry, but you're all that I know
And if a shade falls on me
I need you to know that I won't scream
And if everything you need happened to leave you
I won't leave
(Chorus)
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
Would it matter if I might die
If you'd kiss me goodbye
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
(Chorus)
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
You said there's no way that this is love
It hasn't hurt you enough
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
All that I know
All that I know
All that I know
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
And there's not much that you've shown
While you ratted me out
I never minded too much
I'm just the person that needed you more
(Chorus)
Did you fall, did you break?
Did you make a mistake?
Did you lose how it felt to win?
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
If I showed you my biggest scar
Where I once had a heart
I'm sorry, but you're all that I know
You know that you don't compromise
The place you wanted to be
When you were down on your luck
When you were killing us
Did you ever stop to think of me?
(Chorus)
Did you fall, did you break?
Did you make a mistake?
Did you lose how it felt to win?
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
No matter how far I go
You will always be home
I'm sorry, but you're all that I know
I'm sorry, but you're all that I know
And if a shade falls on me
I need you to know that I won't scream
And if everything you need happened to leave you
I won't leave
(Chorus)
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
Would it matter if I might die
If you'd kiss me goodbye
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
(Chorus)
Don't tell me that it's over now
If I said the right thing, if I said the wrong
You said there's no way that this is love
It hasn't hurt you enough
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
All that I know
All that I know
All that I know
I'm sorry but you're all that I know
Lyrics submitted by phillyt23
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.
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I love this song! Not sure what hes talking about when he says "while you ratted me out" Im curious what he was ratted on. I believe this is one of the best songs of the line of songs that say "no matter how much i try to forget you, you will always be in me" And ofcourse the stupid ass girl that doesnt see what is best for her, she is running away of what she is for some reason afraid of. And the only way for the truth to be seen is to hurt over it.