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.
There it goes
it's out of reach
but that does not mean
my hand's in my pocket
I'll lift it up
the wind is coming from the north
and the east and I need a jacket
So we walk down streets
like we are only visitors
We're lost on the concrete
The cracks and bricks like hieroglyphics
Are lost
We turned down the wrong street
It's been so long
since it all went wrong
that it seems like it might not have been so wrong
after all
but it's much too late
to think that I could change
this fate so I might as well just sit around
and watch the ramparts fall
Bought some maps
thought that I could find
a way to get back to where I came from
It did no good I can't go back
when I don't know where I am to begin with
There it went
I waved goodbye
but I do not think that
I'm gonna miss it
I zip up my jacket
Yes, it's gonna be a long walk home.
The formula's too difficult
just too many variables
And the numbers aren't the same
won't you tell me who to blame
I just cannot calculate
It keeps on saying error
Distance changes everything
It's been so long
since it all went wrong
that it seems like it might not have been so wrong
after all
I just cannot calculate
It keeps on saying error
Distance changes everything
it's out of reach
but that does not mean
my hand's in my pocket
I'll lift it up
the wind is coming from the north
and the east and I need a jacket
So we walk down streets
like we are only visitors
We're lost on the concrete
The cracks and bricks like hieroglyphics
Are lost
We turned down the wrong street
It's been so long
since it all went wrong
that it seems like it might not have been so wrong
after all
but it's much too late
to think that I could change
this fate so I might as well just sit around
and watch the ramparts fall
Bought some maps
thought that I could find
a way to get back to where I came from
It did no good I can't go back
when I don't know where I am to begin with
There it went
I waved goodbye
but I do not think that
I'm gonna miss it
I zip up my jacket
Yes, it's gonna be a long walk home.
The formula's too difficult
just too many variables
And the numbers aren't the same
won't you tell me who to blame
I just cannot calculate
It keeps on saying error
Distance changes everything
It's been so long
since it all went wrong
that it seems like it might not have been so wrong
after all
I just cannot calculate
It keeps on saying error
Distance changes everything
Lyrics submitted by DakotaFloyd
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