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.
16 year old girl
In a hallowed carved out place
Just looking for some prettiness
But the cuts in her arm don't paint for her,
A very pretty view
In her mind she dreams that she is
Far away from...
The bright lights of America
Life and death in a sold out-erica
To live and die in the heart of America
Where they sell souls
[x2]
A concrete city hell (city hell)
Suburbs that never end (just like an ocean)
One parent lives in each of them
Passed back and forth he huffs glue to escape both bitter home
He's just one of desperate ranks
Who can't break free from...
The bright lights of America
Life and death in a sold out-erica
To live and die in the heart of America
Where they sell souls
[x2]
I just want you to know
There are warehouses full
Of fucked up kids like you and me (can't find a way)
So many lost in strife,
caught in an endless fight
To leave this empty ugly place
I'm leaving you at sea
The bright lights of America
Life and death in a sold out-erica
To live and die in the heart of America
Where they sell souls
[x4]
In a hallowed carved out place
Just looking for some prettiness
But the cuts in her arm don't paint for her,
A very pretty view
In her mind she dreams that she is
Far away from...
The bright lights of America
Life and death in a sold out-erica
To live and die in the heart of America
Where they sell souls
[x2]
A concrete city hell (city hell)
Suburbs that never end (just like an ocean)
One parent lives in each of them
Passed back and forth he huffs glue to escape both bitter home
He's just one of desperate ranks
Who can't break free from...
The bright lights of America
Life and death in a sold out-erica
To live and die in the heart of America
Where they sell souls
[x2]
I just want you to know
There are warehouses full
Of fucked up kids like you and me (can't find a way)
So many lost in strife,
caught in an endless fight
To leave this empty ugly place
I'm leaving you at sea
The bright lights of America
Life and death in a sold out-erica
To live and die in the heart of America
Where they sell souls
[x4]
Lyrics submitted by shadowghost
The Bright Lights Of America Lyrics as written by Patrick C. Bollinger Christopher Lee Barker
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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16 year old girl, in a hollow cooped up place Just looking for some prettiness, But the cuts in her arm don't pay for her, very pretty view In her mind, she dreams that she is, far away, from...
I'm guessing this is about a girl stuck in a bad home, who does self mutiliation, and she wishes she was in any place but america.
A concrete city hell (City hell) Suburbs that never end (Just like an ocean) One parent lives in each of them, passed back and forth the upscrew to escape their bitter homes,
I think this means, there's a boy whose parents are divorced, and they both live in different houses in different areas, and he keeps getting passed back and forth. And, there's a lot more kids like him.
I just want you to know, There are whole houses full of fucked up kids like you and me (Can't find a place) So many lost in stride, caught in an endless fight To leave this empty ugly place, I'm leaving you as sane!
Basically, this is saying, no, you're not alone. There's people going through the same thing as you are. And, they're trying to get away, but failing.