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.
Would you wait if I came running home to you?
Or if I moved right down the street a block or two?
Distance is never on our side
It only seems to make our dreams collide
And you have gone on to someone new
Would you wait if I wrote you a perfect song tonight?
To make your heart stand still and make your chest grow tight
But I'll never write a perfect line
And I don't know why I even waste my time and try, whoa
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, yeah
Cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
And there are things that I don't have the patience for
And when I go to my room I leave an open door
Cause I can't stand to feel alone
And when you come around I'm feeling more at home, whoa
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, yeah
Cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
Don't pass me by
Give me another chance tonight
To make your heavy heart so light that you can fly
Cause every time
I see the light behind your eyes
The whole thing catches me in a moment by surprise
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, yeah
Cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa, whoa
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
Yeah, cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
Yeah, cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
Or if I moved right down the street a block or two?
Distance is never on our side
It only seems to make our dreams collide
And you have gone on to someone new
Would you wait if I wrote you a perfect song tonight?
To make your heart stand still and make your chest grow tight
But I'll never write a perfect line
And I don't know why I even waste my time and try, whoa
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, yeah
Cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
And there are things that I don't have the patience for
And when I go to my room I leave an open door
Cause I can't stand to feel alone
And when you come around I'm feeling more at home, whoa
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, yeah
Cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
Don't pass me by
Give me another chance tonight
To make your heavy heart so light that you can fly
Cause every time
I see the light behind your eyes
The whole thing catches me in a moment by surprise
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, yeah
Cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa, whoa
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
Yeah, cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
And for the longest time
I couldn't love her to save my life
Never a moment of peace in my mind, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
Yeah, cause in the longest line
The front and the back are the same sometimes
And taking a number has taken my time, whoa
(Don't pass me by)
Lyrics submitted by fedorov1fan
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
I think it's something along the lines of mmnts_frver_fded's cases. This song is about a girl and a guy, and the girl really loved the guy but the guy wasn't as into the relationship as she was. Eventually the girl went 'on to someone new' and I think at that point the guy realized that he really did care about her more than he initially let on, but he just took what he had before for granted. So now the guy wants another chance with the girl to prove that he really does care.