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.
Well, disaster it strikes on a daily basis
I'm looking for wisdom in all the wrong places
But still want to laugh in disappointed faces
You can't help me
Blinded by these
Heroes and Thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Well darlin' it's you I'm without
Well I'm stubborn and wrong
But at least I know it
Keep moving along until I can get through this
But maybe this song is the best I can do it
So I'm patiently waiting on these
Heroes and Thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Well darlin' it's you
Darlin' it's you oh
Darlin' it's you I'm
Without your comforting logic
Like these days are the ones I'll miss
And I see a solitude that I can't find without you
Ah ah, ah
La da da
Well, it seems like I'm getting closer somehow
A flicker of peace that I've finally found
Thank you for believing in me now
'Cause I do need it
Well, give me a year or two
And I'll mend my ways and see these mistakes and
When I see the truth
Well, darlin' trust me
When I can't see
I'll be coming back, I'll be coming back to you
These heroes and thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Well, darlin' it's you
Darlin' it's you
Well, darling it's you I'm without
Ah, ah, ah
I'm looking for wisdom in all the wrong places
But still want to laugh in disappointed faces
You can't help me
Blinded by these
Heroes and Thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Well darlin' it's you I'm without
Well I'm stubborn and wrong
But at least I know it
Keep moving along until I can get through this
But maybe this song is the best I can do it
So I'm patiently waiting on these
Heroes and Thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Well darlin' it's you
Darlin' it's you oh
Darlin' it's you I'm
Without your comforting logic
Like these days are the ones I'll miss
And I see a solitude that I can't find without you
Ah ah, ah
La da da
Well, it seems like I'm getting closer somehow
A flicker of peace that I've finally found
Thank you for believing in me now
'Cause I do need it
Well, give me a year or two
And I'll mend my ways and see these mistakes and
When I see the truth
Well, darlin' trust me
When I can't see
I'll be coming back, I'll be coming back to you
These heroes and thieves at my door
I can't seem to tell them apart anymore
Just when I've figured it out
Well, darlin' it's you
Darlin' it's you
Well, darling it's you I'm without
Ah, ah, ah
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I love this song! But I would have to slightly disagree with what oriana and embody said - I think it's more about how the narrator is trying to sort out through the deception that is surrounding her (personified through "heroes and thieves"), but because of this, she has also separated from whomever she calls "darling." after all, she says "darling its you i'm without." so she's not with him. I think the guy she's talking about in the song has a less cynical, more optimistic perspective on life; he's a comfort to her, but until she is finally ok with whatever truth she was seeking, she can't be with him because of their differences.