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.
Oh, leaves were falling
They're just like embers
In colors red and gold they set us on fire
Burning just like moonbeams in our eyes
Someone said they saw me
They said I was swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
That I was killing the blues
Just killing the blues
Well, I am guilty of something
That I hope you never do
'Cause nothing is sadder
Than losing yourself in love
Someone said they saw me
They said I was swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
Just killing the blues
Just killing the blues
Oh, when you asked me
Just to leave you
And set out on my own to find what I needed
You asked me to find what I already had
Someone said they saw me
They said I was swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
I was killing the blues
Just killing the blues
Someone said they saw me
They said I swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
I was killing the blues
Been killing the blues
Just killing the blues
They're just like embers
In colors red and gold they set us on fire
Burning just like moonbeams in our eyes
Someone said they saw me
They said I was swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
That I was killing the blues
Just killing the blues
Well, I am guilty of something
That I hope you never do
'Cause nothing is sadder
Than losing yourself in love
Someone said they saw me
They said I was swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
Just killing the blues
Just killing the blues
Oh, when you asked me
Just to leave you
And set out on my own to find what I needed
You asked me to find what I already had
Someone said they saw me
They said I was swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
I was killing the blues
Just killing the blues
Someone said they saw me
They said I swinging the world by the tail
Bouncing over the white clouds
I was killing the blues
Been killing the blues
Just killing the blues
Lyrics submitted by Chalissa
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Chris Smither's songs are awesome and this is one of his best even if he didn't write it. i have felt that this song meant losing a part of yourself in love/a relationship in a way that was detremental to yourself and in isolation you allowed your soul to be swallowed up somehow. instead of finding a way to grow personally for the good of yourself and the relationship you allow yourself to be swallowed up by what you think is love and so you dont just feel the blues from it all, you take the blues to another level by not taking positive steps and find a way out.
Ok so that may be a little deep but when i first heard the song i kind of related to it in this way. but i would like to hear someone elses views (maybe chris smither himself!) about it. although artists usually shy away from explaining their songs!