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.
Hello there, how you doin'?
I've got all these thoughts just floating through my brain
They bump and they collide and cause a flurry of confusion
And it's getting on my nerves
I try to hold myself together
fighting off this mental weather when I can (sometimes I do)
But this shitstorm's never ending
And the atmospheric pressure's calling for rain
This is what I've got going on
This is where I belong tonight
It's chaos in the courthouse
And the left side's all upset
Because the right side wants a summer home
and knows we can't afford it
I try to mediate between
This constant tug-o-war machine
But wind up in a never ending game of telephone
There's so much going on
And I just need seven minutes to calm myself back down
Now I forgot where I was
Was it me we were talking about?
This is what I feared from the start
I keep falling apart
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on)
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Sentences and every island of words
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Everything I ever thought I that I knew
This is where I run out of words
That describe how I'm so damn hurt
This is where I fumble and fold
And take what I'm told
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on)
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Sentences and every island of words
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Everything I ever thought I that I knew
I've got all these thoughts just floating through my brain
They bump and they collide and cause a flurry of confusion
And it's getting on my nerves
I try to hold myself together
fighting off this mental weather when I can (sometimes I do)
But this shitstorm's never ending
And the atmospheric pressure's calling for rain
This is what I've got going on
This is where I belong tonight
It's chaos in the courthouse
And the left side's all upset
Because the right side wants a summer home
and knows we can't afford it
I try to mediate between
This constant tug-o-war machine
But wind up in a never ending game of telephone
There's so much going on
And I just need seven minutes to calm myself back down
Now I forgot where I was
Was it me we were talking about?
This is what I feared from the start
I keep falling apart
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on)
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Sentences and every island of words
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Everything I ever thought I that I knew
This is where I run out of words
That describe how I'm so damn hurt
This is where I fumble and fold
And take what I'm told
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on tonight)
What's going on, is this where I belong tonight?
(What's going on)
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Sentences and every island of words
(Can't stand) I can't stand the thought of losing
Everything I ever thought I that I knew
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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.
I agree with you, titlenregistration. But I think there may be more to this song for some reason. It just seems like the songs on the new album might not be as simple as usual.