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 wish i drank tequila
I wish i stayed up late
But lately when the sandman comes
You know i just can't wait
No lately i can't wait
And we packed up all your boxes
It's all been hauled away
I never stare at walls so bare
'cause something always stays
Yeah something of you stays
And i want to shout from my guitar
Come out come out wherever you are
The joke is over open up your eyes
A heart like yours it never dies
And i found your keys behind your chair
I still can see you sitting there
This isn't funny don't fool around
You let me go... you let me down
(chorus)
And i guess i'm still pretty angry
And i don't want to be
I don't know which was the bigger waste of time
Missing you or wishing instead it was me
I wish i walked on water
Pulling rabbits from my sleeve
Guessing cards and saving everyone
I wish i still believed
Oh i wish that i believed
That i could also channel voices
That i've endured the burning blade
That i could make some of your choices
I wish i weren't afraid
Of those choices that you made
Like i could give you what you need
So ally ally oxen free
The game is up and i give in
So show yourself so that you can win
Come claim your prize and i don't care
I still can see you standing there
How you could leave, how you could lie
You cut me off in mid reply
(chorus)
The will to win the urge to race
I still can see it on your face
Thought i'd keep up but only crashed
I wasn't built to move that fast
Thought i could match you stride for stride
But i was on the other side
And holding on to the safety rail
With knuckles white complexion pale
A could of dust and you were gone
Thought i would catch you later on
I limped behind your race was won
But were you racing or on the run?
How you enjoyed, you loved to drive
And i'm destroyed... 'cause i'm alive
'cause i'm alive
(chorus x2)
I wish i stayed up late
But lately when the sandman comes
You know i just can't wait
No lately i can't wait
And we packed up all your boxes
It's all been hauled away
I never stare at walls so bare
'cause something always stays
Yeah something of you stays
And i want to shout from my guitar
Come out come out wherever you are
The joke is over open up your eyes
A heart like yours it never dies
And i found your keys behind your chair
I still can see you sitting there
This isn't funny don't fool around
You let me go... you let me down
(chorus)
And i guess i'm still pretty angry
And i don't want to be
I don't know which was the bigger waste of time
Missing you or wishing instead it was me
I wish i walked on water
Pulling rabbits from my sleeve
Guessing cards and saving everyone
I wish i still believed
Oh i wish that i believed
That i could also channel voices
That i've endured the burning blade
That i could make some of your choices
I wish i weren't afraid
Of those choices that you made
Like i could give you what you need
So ally ally oxen free
The game is up and i give in
So show yourself so that you can win
Come claim your prize and i don't care
I still can see you standing there
How you could leave, how you could lie
You cut me off in mid reply
(chorus)
The will to win the urge to race
I still can see it on your face
Thought i'd keep up but only crashed
I wasn't built to move that fast
Thought i could match you stride for stride
But i was on the other side
And holding on to the safety rail
With knuckles white complexion pale
A could of dust and you were gone
Thought i would catch you later on
I limped behind your race was won
But were you racing or on the run?
How you enjoyed, you loved to drive
And i'm destroyed... 'cause i'm alive
'cause i'm alive
(chorus x2)
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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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.
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It was very hard on the band after bobby Sheehan passed away. Jp and the band lost their best friend, and it was tough. This song is about the hardship that they went through. JP is saying that even though he misses him, he is angry and upset with the choices that Brendan made. It was Brendan's choice to do drugs.
"How could you leave, how could you lie?"
"I wish I weren't afraid Of those choices that you've made"
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And I guess I'm still pretty angry And I don't want to be I don't know which was the bigger waste of time
This was about their bass player Brendan Sheehan's passing.
It's interesting hearing the band working through their feelings on the passing of Bobby Sheehan.
On one hand there's the obvious anger at his poor choices..
"And I guess I'm still pretty angry, And I don't want to be."
But on the other there's profound sense of regret and loss.
"I limped behind your race was won, But were you racing or on the run? How you enjoyed, you loved to drive, And i'm destroyed ... 'cause i'm alive."
It's the conflicting emotions that give this song its incredible poignancy.