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 sit at my window
With everything I've done
Doors that I've opened
The webs that I've spun
And the candle beside me
It burns to the left
And the rain on the clay
Sends the lizard to it's nest
will there be a time
When I'll hold you again
With my arms spread out
My chest you'll rest
And I'll write you a letter
With everything I know
'bout the weight of the world
And the way things could go
So live up my friend
Step back again
For somethings will be given
For some you'll have to bend
You' ll have to bend my friend
To hold on to this
For somethings will come easy
And some will be a test
(You'll have to bend)
Now the ocean connects me
To everything I know
I'm mellowing my mind
So my heart, it can call
With these trees as my witness
I'll slice up some fruit
And each to their peacefull
Good intentions and truth
There will be a time
When I'll hold you again
With my arms spread out
I will dive right in
So now here is your letter
With everything I know
'Bout the weight of the world
And the way things could go
So live up my friend
Step back again
For somethings will be given
For some you'll have to bend
You'll have to bend my friend
To hold on to this
For somethings will come easy
And some will be a test
You'll have to bend
Now the ocean connects me
To everything I know
I'm mellowing my mind
So my heart, it can call
With these trees as my witness
I'll slice up some fruit
And each to their peacefull
Good intentions and truth
There will be a time
When I'll hold you again
With my arms spread out
I will dive right in
So now here is your letter
With everything I know
'bout the weight of the world
And the way things could go
With everything I've done
Doors that I've opened
The webs that I've spun
And the candle beside me
It burns to the left
And the rain on the clay
Sends the lizard to it's nest
will there be a time
When I'll hold you again
With my arms spread out
My chest you'll rest
And I'll write you a letter
With everything I know
'bout the weight of the world
And the way things could go
So live up my friend
Step back again
For somethings will be given
For some you'll have to bend
You' ll have to bend my friend
To hold on to this
For somethings will come easy
And some will be a test
(You'll have to bend)
Now the ocean connects me
To everything I know
I'm mellowing my mind
So my heart, it can call
With these trees as my witness
I'll slice up some fruit
And each to their peacefull
Good intentions and truth
There will be a time
When I'll hold you again
With my arms spread out
I will dive right in
So now here is your letter
With everything I know
'Bout the weight of the world
And the way things could go
So live up my friend
Step back again
For somethings will be given
For some you'll have to bend
You'll have to bend my friend
To hold on to this
For somethings will come easy
And some will be a test
You'll have to bend
Now the ocean connects me
To everything I know
I'm mellowing my mind
So my heart, it can call
With these trees as my witness
I'll slice up some fruit
And each to their peacefull
Good intentions and truth
There will be a time
When I'll hold you again
With my arms spread out
I will dive right in
So now here is your letter
With everything I know
'bout the weight of the world
And the way things could go
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.
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,
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
my favorite song by Xavier. With my favorite line. "Now the ocean connects me To everything I know By mellowing my mind So my heart, it can call"