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’m beginning to see the light
A glimpse of electric sight
I’m beginning to see the light
Don’t turn it off, don’t say goodnight
Honestly
Can we see?
That we can cope
With all the dope
We got to clear up the mess about to oppress
Grab all your thoughts
And proceed, keep on waiting
Hold on to your dreams
Don’t tone down these beliefs
You’re extreme
That I like
In a person beside
Who I lay down my head
I’m beginning to see the light
And it’s small type printed copyright
I’m beginning to see the light
Don’t turn it off, don’t say goodnight
Honestly
Can we see?
That we can cope
With all the dope
We got to clear up our view, bravely renew
Pure and profound
Is a way to be bound
To a new masterpiece
In complexity, please
Simplify
You know why
I can’t give you my breath
You see, I’m loaded actually
It takes a lot more to bring me down
It’s quite exceptional
That I do seem to take what comes around
I’m having a crush on
The thrill to hang on
Grab all your thoughts
And proceed, keep on walking
Hold on to your dreams
Don’t tone down these beliefs
You’re extreme
That I like
In a person beside
Who I lay down my head
A glimpse of electric sight
I’m beginning to see the light
Don’t turn it off, don’t say goodnight
Honestly
Can we see?
That we can cope
With all the dope
We got to clear up the mess about to oppress
Grab all your thoughts
And proceed, keep on waiting
Hold on to your dreams
Don’t tone down these beliefs
You’re extreme
That I like
In a person beside
Who I lay down my head
I’m beginning to see the light
And it’s small type printed copyright
I’m beginning to see the light
Don’t turn it off, don’t say goodnight
Honestly
Can we see?
That we can cope
With all the dope
We got to clear up our view, bravely renew
Pure and profound
Is a way to be bound
To a new masterpiece
In complexity, please
Simplify
You know why
I can’t give you my breath
You see, I’m loaded actually
It takes a lot more to bring me down
It’s quite exceptional
That I do seem to take what comes around
I’m having a crush on
The thrill to hang on
Grab all your thoughts
And proceed, keep on walking
Hold on to your dreams
Don’t tone down these beliefs
You’re extreme
That I like
In a person beside
Who I lay down my head
Lyrics submitted by ecorchee1
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.