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.
Holy light visionary sight there's been a
Change in plans
Going away no I cannot stay I hope
You'll understand
I won't be home tonight I'll just slip out
Of sight
Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on
My cast away dreams
Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the
Wishes that died
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
Magic one all our dreams are done I
Have no faith today
Sun will rise in your newborn eyes just
Let me slip away
I won't be home tonight I'll just slip out
Of sight
Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on
My cast away dreams
Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the
Wishes that died
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
It would do no good to drown in the sea
Where no one remembers their name
And nothing but nothing is free
Hearts will break with choices we must
Make so sleep and dream of me
I won't be home tonight I'll just slip out
Of sight
Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on
My cast away dreams
Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the
Wishes that died
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
Change in plans
Going away no I cannot stay I hope
You'll understand
I won't be home tonight I'll just slip out
Of sight
Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on
My cast away dreams
Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the
Wishes that died
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
Magic one all our dreams are done I
Have no faith today
Sun will rise in your newborn eyes just
Let me slip away
I won't be home tonight I'll just slip out
Of sight
Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on
My cast away dreams
Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the
Wishes that died
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
It would do no good to drown in the sea
Where no one remembers their name
And nothing but nothing is free
Hearts will break with choices we must
Make so sleep and dream of me
I won't be home tonight I'll just slip out
Of sight
Lay down my visionary eyes dancing on
My cast away dreams
Keep yourself out of sight farewell to the
Wishes that died
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
Look for me in the morning light dancing
On my cast away dreams
Lyrics submitted by drummerboy8044
Cast Away Dreams Lyrics as written by Lindsey Buckingham
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Another song of his about Stevie. This time he's telling her he's moving on and trying to forget about her (Lindsey's wife finally made him choose between her and Stevie)
How does anyone know this song is about stevie. This probably has noting to do with her.
Agreed: This is clearly about giving up and moving on, but I think it's safe to assume that after 30+ years, he's not so fixated on Ms. Nicks as many fans want to believe. Based on some somewhat ambiguous chatter by Buckingham when I saw him play live, I suspect this has more to do with settling in to a satisfying but low-profile solo career rather than being a major solo star, and finding it makes a better life. It's probably best left ambiguous.<br /> <br />
I think drummerboy8044 was speculating based on comments Lindsey has made about this song - it was written while on tour with Fleetwood Mac in 2003 & he had an argument with his wife about priorities as she was leaving the tour to go home...Lindsey said that it was about making the right decision and setting things straight and to do that he had to give up on his muse. We can only think of Stevie when words like muse are thrown around. The idea that it's about his wife finally making him choose seems accurate.
It is definitely about Stevie. He says in an interview that the song was about prioritizing, trying to do the right thing- but that he didn't end up doing it because it would mean giving up his muse.
Lindsey never gives himself credit as a writer, and yet he is so gifted at writing lyrical double entendre's while infusing emotional content in the musical soundscape. Sadly, there are so few of these writers left in the music biz today. When Lindsey sings "I won't be home tonight" you feel it through the music and the listless quality in his voice that he isn't only referring to not being in his current home but that he is also not the man who was once "at home" to other places and people he once lived in/with. He has grown. It reminds me of this lyric from Half Acre by Hem: "Think of every town you've lived in, every room you lay your head, and what is it that you remember..."
Lindsey, this song is genius. And I thank you for it. And I also thank you for staying around to write the best songs of your career at a time when your contemporaries are settling into their past nostalgia.
It sounds a little bit like a goodbye to me.
This song is so beautiful. For me, it is not about a girl or Stevie. It is about unfulfilled dreams, aspirations and having thoughts of " what-ifs"