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.
Bad day, looking for a way home
Looking for the great escape
Gets in his car and drives away
Far from all the things that we are
Puts on a smile and breathes it in
And breathes it out, he says
Bye bye, bye to all of the noise
Oh, he says, Bye bye
Bye to all of the noise
Hey child, things are looking down
That’s OK, you don’t need to win anyways
Don’t be afraid, just eat up all the grey
And it will fade all away
Don’t let yourself fall down
Bad day
Looking for the great escape
He says, bad day
Looking for the great escape
On a bad day
Looking for the great escape
The great escape
Looking for the great escape
Gets in his car and drives away
Far from all the things that we are
Puts on a smile and breathes it in
And breathes it out, he says
Bye bye, bye to all of the noise
Oh, he says, Bye bye
Bye to all of the noise
Hey child, things are looking down
That’s OK, you don’t need to win anyways
Don’t be afraid, just eat up all the grey
And it will fade all away
Don’t let yourself fall down
Bad day
Looking for the great escape
He says, bad day
Looking for the great escape
On a bad day
Looking for the great escape
The great escape
Lyrics submitted by vegtabletarian, edited by adngai, Ajensis
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
The year was 2009. My mother was losing her battle with cancer, which she fought for almost ten years. One evening my father phoned home to let us know her liver stopped working so I rushed to her side. I can't even explain the pain of seeing her just give up, because that damn thing had won. I went back home for a quick rest before coming back. That night the song came up in my playlist and I started crying like a litle 31 years old boy. The Great Escape, that was it. She died the next day.
Love you mom.