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.
Wind blowing on my face
Sidewalk flying beneath my bike
A five year old's first taste
Of what freedom's really like
He was running right beside me
His hand holding on the seat
I took a deep breath and hollered
As I headed for the street
You can let go now, daddy, you can let go
Oh, I think, I'm ready to do this on my own
It's still a little bit scary but I want you to know
I'll be okay now, daddy, you can let go
I was standing at the altar
Between the two loves of my life
To one, I've been a daughter
To one, I soon would be a wife
When the preacher asked
"Who gives this woman?"
Daddy's eyes filled up with tears
He kept holding tightly to my arm
'Til I whispered in his ear
You can let go now, daddy, you can let go
Oh, I think, I'm ready to do this on my own
It's still feels a little bit scary but I want you to know
I'll be okay now, daddy, you can let go
It was killing me to see the strongest man I ever knew
Wasting away to nothing in that hospital room
You know he's only hanging on for you
That's what the night nurse said
My voice and heart were breaking
As I crawled up in his bed and said
You can let go now, daddy, you can let go
Your little girl is ready to do this on my own
It's gonna be a little bit scary but I want you to know
I'll be okay now, daddy, you can let go, you can let go
Sidewalk flying beneath my bike
A five year old's first taste
Of what freedom's really like
He was running right beside me
His hand holding on the seat
I took a deep breath and hollered
As I headed for the street
You can let go now, daddy, you can let go
Oh, I think, I'm ready to do this on my own
It's still a little bit scary but I want you to know
I'll be okay now, daddy, you can let go
I was standing at the altar
Between the two loves of my life
To one, I've been a daughter
To one, I soon would be a wife
When the preacher asked
"Who gives this woman?"
Daddy's eyes filled up with tears
He kept holding tightly to my arm
'Til I whispered in his ear
You can let go now, daddy, you can let go
Oh, I think, I'm ready to do this on my own
It's still feels a little bit scary but I want you to know
I'll be okay now, daddy, you can let go
It was killing me to see the strongest man I ever knew
Wasting away to nothing in that hospital room
You know he's only hanging on for you
That's what the night nurse said
My voice and heart were breaking
As I crawled up in his bed and said
You can let go now, daddy, you can let go
Your little girl is ready to do this on my own
It's gonna be a little bit scary but I want you to know
I'll be okay now, daddy, you can let go, you can let go
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Absolutely love this song & meaning! Pop was and always will be my best friend-he got to hear this once before it played at his funeral & 5 yrs later still has me bawling like a baby! Love ya buddy! Miss you everyday!