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.
there's nothing i could call this
no architecture for the order of things
when i sat and watched you sleeping
before the trucks arrived
boxed up your better life
i wrote you letters for a while
left to haunt this sad estate
in hollow walls and empty halls
but all i saw was
some doll that you'd abandoned
so i crawled inside
where the stitching held me tight
and hoped that you'd come back to find me some time
i hope that you'll forgive me
for being so severe
your proximity was clouding my account of what was real here
you're eight years old
i'm stuck inside the wall
you always talk
but never hold me
and i wish that you would ask me how i'm feeling
there's so much i want to tell you
'bout the way i'm disappearing
and so many years have passed since that
i left the house
i left a map
to my new wall
you must have never found it
and i heard that you got married
and i hope she(he) helps you fall asleep these days
'cause i knew the ways
when you were eight
you're not what i imagined
you'd become when we were younger
but i'm still in love with that one
and i've since found your parent's house
and live inside the walls
but you don't ask about me when you call
no architecture for the order of things
when i sat and watched you sleeping
before the trucks arrived
boxed up your better life
i wrote you letters for a while
left to haunt this sad estate
in hollow walls and empty halls
but all i saw was
some doll that you'd abandoned
so i crawled inside
where the stitching held me tight
and hoped that you'd come back to find me some time
i hope that you'll forgive me
for being so severe
your proximity was clouding my account of what was real here
you're eight years old
i'm stuck inside the wall
you always talk
but never hold me
and i wish that you would ask me how i'm feeling
there's so much i want to tell you
'bout the way i'm disappearing
and so many years have passed since that
i left the house
i left a map
to my new wall
you must have never found it
and i heard that you got married
and i hope she(he) helps you fall asleep these days
'cause i knew the ways
when you were eight
you're not what i imagined
you'd become when we were younger
but i'm still in love with that one
and i've since found your parent's house
and live inside the walls
but you don't ask about me when you call
Lyrics submitted by hobbes1757
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
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/
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
What a sad but beautiful song. My friend sent this to me randomly one day, and it's made my top songs list. So amazing. The female vocals at "I left a map to my new wall, you must have never found it" are truly beautiful. Just amazing.