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.
Far in the distance
This is the view from the other side
How did I let this pass me by?
You took me from granted,
Blended thorns in this garden of mine
What are the chances my hope has died?
Didn't have mercy
You unnerved me
I don't deserve this pain, no
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
Thinking it over
Those were days dark as ebony nights
The end of October seemed like a life time
I had a suspicion
But didn't want to believe you a lie
You had a mission
To prove me right
You took my trust
Ground it to dust
Found out I know better yea yeah
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
And I don't wanna feel the pain
And I don't want another day
Shackled to your ball and chain
You're entirely a pain
And I'm so tired of explaining
The sensation I've known over time
I don't ever care that there is
No charity in your heart
Could you spare me, I've done my part? Yeah
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
This is the view from the other side
How did I let this pass me by?
You took me from granted,
Blended thorns in this garden of mine
What are the chances my hope has died?
Didn't have mercy
You unnerved me
I don't deserve this pain, no
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
Thinking it over
Those were days dark as ebony nights
The end of October seemed like a life time
I had a suspicion
But didn't want to believe you a lie
You had a mission
To prove me right
You took my trust
Ground it to dust
Found out I know better yea yeah
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
And I don't wanna feel the pain
And I don't want another day
Shackled to your ball and chain
You're entirely a pain
And I'm so tired of explaining
The sensation I've known over time
I don't ever care that there is
No charity in your heart
Could you spare me, I've done my part? Yeah
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
So don't break my heart
I ain't never done
Nothing to deserve this
I'm torn apart
You've had your part
Do you suppose I earned it?
Do you not see
How I'm begging on my knees?
No don't speak, don't breathe,
You bring out the Devil in me
Lyrics submitted by sweetem0ti0nxo
Devil in Me Lyrics as written by Kate Elizabeth Voegele
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this is about a girl who was dating a boy and was completely in love and then he dumped her. I think the line "you bring out the devil in me" has two meanings: 1. that he's not good for her and they had an unhealthy relationship and she knew it, but didn't want to believe it. The lines "Thinking it over/Those were days dark as ebony nights/The end of October seemed like a life time/I had a suspicion/But didn't want to believe you a liar/You had a mission/To prove me right." show this.
2) That she's not acting like herself now because she's in so much pain and doesn't know why he dumped her. She's doing things that she doesn't want to do -- "Do you not see how I'm begging on my knees/Don't speak, don't breathe/you bring out the devil in me"
thoughts?
Ok this song is way too awesome! and so is Kate !!!
I'm not entirely sure about the meaning of the lyrics though, but I think it may be about a relationship that has ended (not on good terms)...and the girl is saying that she does not deserve all this pain ...
whatever... I can't believe I'm the first one to comment on this song!!! Com'on, you guys !!
personally I think this song is about a girl and a boy who have been dating, when suddenly the boy dumps the girl in a really mean way and she's asking why he thinks she deserved that and then maybe she is looking back and sees how she acted when she was with this boy and realized that he brought "out the devil in me"
Im thinking that it could be a girl who really liked this guy and he lead her on to believe something was going to happen, and he got her to trust him, then he says he doesn't like her......idk thats how i see it... the ones above me seem like it could be it too.. idk every one interprets songs in there own way.
I love this song, one of my favorite from Kate! This song should have more comments!
This song is amazing and I agree it needs more comments. I think that the song is about a relationship. I think that someone has caused their lover extreme pain somehow (most likely cheating), and the lover gave them a second chance and waited around for them to change. No matter what the other person kept waiting for the change and their companion kept the old ways and never changed. I think this song shows the development of someone realizing that they are stuck in some type of self inflicted hell because they want to stay to see if the change happens yet they hate who they become while doing so. Its like they are torn between good and evil and because they are waiting for some miracle to happen and it doesn't they lose hope and they realize how awful they have become. I could be so wrong, but thats what it feels like to me.