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.
Baby, I’ll be loving you long after the rain
has washed away your memory and watered down the pain
I know that I’ve been playing in the streets a little late
I’ve done some foolish shit, I know I’ve made a few mistakes
But I don’t wanna be your Yesterday Man
Baby, could you let me back in
I’m so lonely
Not only when you leave me, Oh Oh
I’m so lonely
The street’s a little colder when you’re all up on my mind
I can’t keep on pretending that I’m truly satisfied
I’m not a fucking rock, you know, I feel these troubles too
So don’t keep on playing like it’s all about you
Cause I don’t wanna be your Yesterday man
Baby, could you let me back in
I’m so lonely
Not only when you leave me, Oh Oh
I’m so lonely (2X)
Hush, we can’t keep living this way
We were supposed to be mad lovers, not just tricks of the trade
I’m in a rage, but I can’t let my feelings show
There’s more to life than falling hard and waking up all alone, ya know?
You used to let me know life wasn’t hard
Now I’m scared by the lies that’s been told to my heart
Cause life ain’t nothing but a birth and a death
And I’m stuck in the middle, still struggling for breath
I’m so lonely
Not only when you leave me, Oh Oh
I’m so lonely (2X)
Lyrics submitted by frontside
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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.
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“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.
Well, my boyfriend broke up with me a few days ago.. And this makes me think of what we went through. We talk, we're "friends," or as close to friends as can be expected. I'm lonely when he's online because I miss what he was to me. Friends doesn't seem to be enough. So that's how I take this song.
A break up, and now he's reflecting on the circumstances.
And again. That's how I take this.