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.
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
Set off on a long march without you, without you x2
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
About whats left that lies between us, I'm walking
So many things we're burning for
I set myself on fire without you, without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
I cheated gravity to chase you, to chase you
And through the burning space between us, you're falling
You have a long way, long way to fall
I set myself on fire without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
So many things we're burning for (Repeat 7X)
Set off on a long march without you, without you x2
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
About whats left that lies between us, I'm walking
So many things we're burning for
I set myself on fire without you, without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
I wrote a protest song about you, about you
I cheated gravity to chase you, to chase you
And through the burning space between us, you're falling
You have a long way, long way to fall
I set myself on fire without you
I wrote a song about you, about you
That not a soul was meant to hear, except you
So many things we're burning for (Repeat 7X)
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I'm pretty sure I know what the meaning of this song is.. or least in my own experience it makes perfect sense..
It's about taking a chance for some one that you think is worth it. It's about putting yourself out there and making a blind leap.. but in her case..and mine.. the other person didnt take that leap as well.
When she says "I wrote a protest song about you" .... I take it as.. a song that she wrote as she was taking the leap...
Maybe she was in a relationship and the OTHER person was also in their own relationship with some one else..
The person didnt leave their significant other..
They're burning because theyre doing every thing wrong.. but theres passion.. even though on paper it makes them both look bad. Like the idea that if you are a cheater..you're going to hell.... or sinning in general.
"that not a soul was meant to hear except you" ---- secrecy... in their involvement
"i set myself of fire without you" ---- she took the leap without him because she felt that even though doing it..would be the wrong thing to do ... it was worth it.... to be with him... but in the end... he didnt do it... and she set herself on fire and symbolically destroyed her own relationship and made her life difficult because of it
"i cheated gravity to chase you" -- in cheating on whomever she was with.. she gave up stability, safety and the things that were grounding her to chase this new guy.
And maybe he came around.. but it was too late because it was such a firey mess... or maybe he only gave up part of himself and didnt really commit to leaving his own significant other..
"You've got a long, long way to fall"
... But regardless... "so many things we're burning for" .... theres so much that we want, theres so much passion ... but also... the things that we've done you could say theres so many things we're going to hell for... OR even that..things have gotten so crazy that..we're just going to crash and burn..
But overall i think its about some one shes always going to care about... and she was let down by them... and is just still kind of in shock from it..