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.
Now the world is turning, spinning round the sun
So, we're standing still, but moving fast
One day your breath will be your last
One day you'll breath your last
We, all must one day, melt into the earth
The, only path we take from birth
We must make life have some worth
Dying from our birth
It's a bird that's flown
Through an empty room
It's a planet and
It's a molecule
As its ripples spread
Through our darkened pool
It's the speed of light
It's a golden rule
And we're moving fast
Though we're standing still
It's a wonder drug
It's a bitter pill
It's a remedy
For our simple minds
It's a symbol for
Our changing times
Now the sun is rising, spreading through the sky
Chase my horizons far away
Carrying the break of day
Chase my demons far away
Chase them far away
So, we're standing still, but moving fast
One day your breath will be your last
One day you'll breath your last
We, all must one day, melt into the earth
The, only path we take from birth
We must make life have some worth
Dying from our birth
It's a bird that's flown
Through an empty room
It's a planet and
It's a molecule
As its ripples spread
Through our darkened pool
It's the speed of light
It's a golden rule
And we're moving fast
Though we're standing still
It's a wonder drug
It's a bitter pill
It's a remedy
For our simple minds
It's a symbol for
Our changing times
Now the sun is rising, spreading through the sky
Chase my horizons far away
Carrying the break of day
Chase my demons far away
Chase them far away
Lyrics submitted by xxlalaxx
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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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Beautiful song. There are some missing lyrics here. The beginning of this song is absolutely gorgeous. I love the way it builds.
It's all pretty straight forward. It's about how we spend our whole lives getting closer and closer to death ("dying from our birth") She encourages us to make something of ourselves while we have the time. "We must make life have some worth"
Pretty moving stuff. I wish more people listened to the Scanners.
Oh wow, didn't even realize this song was under the wrong title. My comment still stands.