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.
She said “Sing me a lullaby so sweet,
That the lights would stay away from me
Because my eyes see things they shouldn’t see
Help me.”
So I started to tremble out a verse
But my words weren’t lining up with her
But then the way that she hurt was even worse
Than without me.
So I got high
And I lost faith in a melody
Written for a girl when I had nothing left to hide,
And then I cried
Cause I’m missing you and missing Florida
It’s a long way back from California.
And as the sun fell dark behind the sea,
I felt her eyes steal another look at me,
She said “I’m looking for things I’ll never see.”
Release me
And how’d this summer air just get so cold?
And how’d this quiet girl just get so bold?
And how can she be something I can’t hold?
Tell me
So I got high
And I lost faith in a melody
Written for a girl when I had nothing left to hide,
And then I cried
Cause I’m missing you and missing Florida
It’s a long way back from California.
California
Cuz I’m missing you, and missing Florida,
It’s a long way back from California
A long way back from California.
That the lights would stay away from me
Because my eyes see things they shouldn’t see
Help me.”
So I started to tremble out a verse
But my words weren’t lining up with her
But then the way that she hurt was even worse
Than without me.
So I got high
And I lost faith in a melody
Written for a girl when I had nothing left to hide,
And then I cried
Cause I’m missing you and missing Florida
It’s a long way back from California.
And as the sun fell dark behind the sea,
I felt her eyes steal another look at me,
She said “I’m looking for things I’ll never see.”
Release me
And how’d this summer air just get so cold?
And how’d this quiet girl just get so bold?
And how can she be something I can’t hold?
Tell me
So I got high
And I lost faith in a melody
Written for a girl when I had nothing left to hide,
And then I cried
Cause I’m missing you and missing Florida
It’s a long way back from California.
California
Cuz I’m missing you, and missing Florida,
It’s a long way back from California
A long way back from California.
Lyrics submitted by brittanynoele
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
So, apparently the girl and the guy are separated by pretty much an entire country. I think the girl wanted to be with him, but she ended up seeing that they wouldn't work out (probably because of the distance). So she tells the guy to release her because she sees that no matter what, the guy is still going to pursue his dream of a musical career in cali. So he wrote her a song, wanting to keep her because he really truly did love her, but in the end she still wanted to split up. Pretty sad song.
The other possibility I get from it is possibly the guy screwed up while he was in cali .. maybe hooked up with a girl for a night or something. Somehow the girl finds out about it, and even tho the guy regrets it the girl still wants to split up with him.
Pretty sad song. =[
I so agree with you, Carefreedude... (about the separated by a country) The thing is that--- I'm separated by an Atlanatic pool from the girl I want to be with D:.
Same Here. Stupid Ocean. He Doesn't Like Me Anyways, Though.