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.
i was raised in a small town
i couldn't wait to leave that small town
'cause i couldn't sit around and think that ignorance is surely killing me
and i'll be left flipping the sign at a closing burger king
with kids who gave up just like me
it is no one's fault
'cause no one wants to live this way at all
but they're so consumed their dreams just fade away
but what would you trade to get one thing to take what love has made
the system is flawed and the system fails us all
i need you to recall, because right now i can't feel your love at all
and i need that here to correct my past mistakes
the only real thing here is you,
and i wonder, watching, which one you would choose
i just hit the hard ground, but i was running when i hit the hard ground
i watched the dirt beneath my feet,
and all the bridges that were burning behind me
i'll be so free, someday baby
but you're like me, you'll have to wait and see
it is no one's fault
'cause no one wants to live this way at all
but they're so consumed their dreams just fade away
but what would you trade to get one thing to take what love has made
the system is flawed and the system fails us all
i need you to recall, because right now i can't feel your love at all
and i need that here to correct my past mistakes
the only real thing here is you,
and i wonder, watching, which one you would choose
lies can run while truth is tying it's shoes for you
lies can run while truth is tying it's shoes for you
some dreams take so long, don't ever let go
we've come too far, to give up and go home
some dreams take so long, don't ever let go
we've come too far, to give up and go home
i couldn't wait to leave that small town
'cause i couldn't sit around and think that ignorance is surely killing me
and i'll be left flipping the sign at a closing burger king
with kids who gave up just like me
it is no one's fault
'cause no one wants to live this way at all
but they're so consumed their dreams just fade away
but what would you trade to get one thing to take what love has made
the system is flawed and the system fails us all
i need you to recall, because right now i can't feel your love at all
and i need that here to correct my past mistakes
the only real thing here is you,
and i wonder, watching, which one you would choose
i just hit the hard ground, but i was running when i hit the hard ground
i watched the dirt beneath my feet,
and all the bridges that were burning behind me
i'll be so free, someday baby
but you're like me, you'll have to wait and see
it is no one's fault
'cause no one wants to live this way at all
but they're so consumed their dreams just fade away
but what would you trade to get one thing to take what love has made
the system is flawed and the system fails us all
i need you to recall, because right now i can't feel your love at all
and i need that here to correct my past mistakes
the only real thing here is you,
and i wonder, watching, which one you would choose
lies can run while truth is tying it's shoes for you
lies can run while truth is tying it's shoes for you
some dreams take so long, don't ever let go
we've come too far, to give up and go home
some dreams take so long, don't ever let go
we've come too far, to give up and go home
Lyrics submitted by vulgar
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This song could mean a lot of things.
To me, it means that you can't run away from your problems.
In the beginning it seems to be describing how living in this small town diverts your attention away from your dreams, and that shouldn't be the way you'd want to live your life.
To me, it seems as if the character goes back and tries to face all the faults and problems he could never deal with before. And pick up some of the things he didn't want to let go of.
And that's basically my interpretation. Great song by the way.