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.
Rising and spiraling
Then vanish in the wind
I can't tell where the land
Ends and they sky begins
Are you acquainted with
The threat of being killed
Are you conversing with pigeons on the windowsill
And every battle has been fought
And everything I think was thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Rising and spiraling
They vanish in the wind
I can't tell when the land
Ends and the sky begins
This city truly is assaulting my senses
Unkempt unruly devour defenseless
Occupant if poverty build character
And spoils breed arrogance
Id rather consort with the low and the decadent
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think had been thought
Down and down we've descended
Everyday keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves keep getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
You'd better have the strength
Of the wandering aimless
With an audience of the most prestigious
Do you have the strain to love the one
You came with
I hope you have the strength
Were in the belly of
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think has been thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Then vanish in the wind
I can't tell where the land
Ends and they sky begins
Are you acquainted with
The threat of being killed
Are you conversing with pigeons on the windowsill
And every battle has been fought
And everything I think was thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Rising and spiraling
They vanish in the wind
I can't tell when the land
Ends and the sky begins
This city truly is assaulting my senses
Unkempt unruly devour defenseless
Occupant if poverty build character
And spoils breed arrogance
Id rather consort with the low and the decadent
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think had been thought
Down and down we've descended
Everyday keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves keep getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
You'd better have the strength
Of the wandering aimless
With an audience of the most prestigious
Do you have the strain to love the one
You came with
I hope you have the strength
Were in the belly of
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think has been thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Lyrics submitted by SmallWorld
Daylight Slaving Lyrics as written by Francis Mark Brian Deneeve
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
true...their old stuff is better, but only by a little...i like the direction they are going in