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.
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
We'll reach the isle of her
We'll find the peacock's tail
We'll steal the mother of pearl
We'll eat the dancing girls
Cyclops gazing alone
Facing mirrors that show
A reflection, his own
Face to face
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
We'll reach the isle of her
We'll find the peacock's tail
We'll steal the mother of pearl
We'll eat the dancing girls
Cyclops blazing alone
Facing mirrors that show
A reflection, his own
Face to face
Cyclops gazing alone
Face to face, face to face
Face to face, face to face
Face to face, face to face, face to face
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
We'll reach the isle of her
We'll find the peacock's tail
We'll steal the mother of pearl
We'll eat the dancing girls
Cyclops gazing alone
Facing mirrors that show
A reflection, his own
Face to face
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
[Incomprehensible]
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
A hand on each of the oars
A hand on each of the oars
We're seven miles from shore
Just keep on going
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
Row, there's only seven more miles to go
We'll reach the isle of her
We'll find the peacock's tail
We'll steal the mother of pearl
We'll eat the dancing girls
Cyclops blazing alone
Facing mirrors that show
A reflection, his own
Face to face
Cyclops gazing alone
Face to face, face to face
Face to face, face to face
Face to face, face to face, face to face
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I have to agree with the war the statement totally "Face 2 Face". Most of the song can sound different, when I first heard the song I thought they were saying "Roses, send my love to god", "A Hand on each others throat". Looking at the lyrics, I have been corrected thank god lol.
This song to me, is about learning to love yourself before you can truly love something else. This was emphasised with me thinking "A hand on each other" was being said a lot throughout the song.