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.
If I failed to deliver
If the world left you bitter
If waitin' and prayin' hasn't led to you payin'
Of course I will care
If the world stripped you bare
But your killing your liver with toxins
That help you to
See this whole mess
Receive this hopeless
Transmission
Are u trying to say that'd you'd rather decay than
Believe
Are you willing to cry
At the scene of the crime
Are u able to turn on the tears in the blink of an eye
If your ready
Tonight if your steady
Well help you to see in ways that will help you to find
This whole mess
Receive this hopeless transmission
Are u trying to say that you'd rather decay than believe
And if walking back home
Is the way to my heart
You've taken it over and torn it apart
I've got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain
I've got infinite reasons and nothing to say
'Cause its now or now
It's now or never
It's now or never
Are u willing to dance
For the sake of romance
I'm a terrible dancer but hey let them look
Let them laugh
I'm not listening
For you I'm persisting
But my energies sinking as u slump to your chair
So ill throw this whole mess away
And if walking back home
Is the way to my heart
You've taken it over and torn it apart
I've got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain
I've got infinite reasons and nothing to say
'Cause its now or now
It's now or never
It's now or never
If the world left you bitter
If waitin' and prayin' hasn't led to you payin'
Of course I will care
If the world stripped you bare
But your killing your liver with toxins
That help you to
See this whole mess
Receive this hopeless
Transmission
Are u trying to say that'd you'd rather decay than
Believe
Are you willing to cry
At the scene of the crime
Are u able to turn on the tears in the blink of an eye
If your ready
Tonight if your steady
Well help you to see in ways that will help you to find
This whole mess
Receive this hopeless transmission
Are u trying to say that you'd rather decay than believe
And if walking back home
Is the way to my heart
You've taken it over and torn it apart
I've got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain
I've got infinite reasons and nothing to say
'Cause its now or now
It's now or never
It's now or never
Are u willing to dance
For the sake of romance
I'm a terrible dancer but hey let them look
Let them laugh
I'm not listening
For you I'm persisting
But my energies sinking as u slump to your chair
So ill throw this whole mess away
And if walking back home
Is the way to my heart
You've taken it over and torn it apart
I've got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain
I've got infinite reasons and nothing to say
'Cause its now or now
It's now or never
It's now or never
Lyrics submitted by AROBTTH, edited by WanderingWisp
Now or Never Lyrics as written by James Roger Arguile Gareth Edward Jennings
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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i can't believe this song has no comments, it's just so nice.
"Are you willing to dance, for the sake of romance? I’m a terrible dancer but, hey, let them look, let them laugh. "
i love it! i think this is just about being completely and utterly in love and what you'd do for one another, perhaps?
Great song. I think it's about love, I'm not sure why, but it sounds to me like one giant "I love you!" Maybe it's about a guy who's in love with a girl, and he's encouraging her to be optimistic and love him like he loves her. Perhaps she's had her heart broken before, and she's somewhat miserable because of that. But he's more like: "So what? I love you. No reason to be sad, it's now or never. If you've got nothing to loose, why not just go for it?"
Maybe I've got it all wrong, maybe my interpretation has more to do with how I'm feeling than with the actual song. Still, Mumm-Ra is an awesome band!!
I don't think the meaning is that chirpy. I think his love is fading. It's still there, but she's not the girl she used to be and he's trying to revive her optimism, trying to help her see that we only live once (ie. it's now or never) and one day we'll be gone forever so make the most of it now!
To put it simpler, she's turned quite boring... but he stilll loves her... he just wants the old her back! i reckon...
Mumm-Ra's is one of the best albums i've heard in a long time! Gutted they split...
i think the songs pretty clearly just about being in love with somebody who is self destructive/depressed/heartbroken and desperately trying + wanting them to believe in themselves and the world and love "but you're killing your liver with toxins that help you to see.." obvious hint to alcoholism, whether literal or symbolic