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.
By the time this reaches you
We will be a pale gray memory
Of everything I once loved
A still cold heart,
That won’t stop beating.
And by the time you wake up
Bitter, and alone
With nothing but your chemicals
To keep you awake all night
I will be galaxies from here
But I’ll still miss you
So my dear,
Serenade, you’re sleeping with angels tonight
Serenade, I’m sleeping with eyes open wide
Serenade you for the last time.
Well this is more than I deserve
And I know
That I am nothing more
Than a trophy that lost its shine
Your perfect prize
Was just a person after all
And as I watch the ocean swallow up the sun
To set these waves on fire
Will open the sky for us
So I can finally get away
So I can finally find a place where I can be free
(serenade)
Serenade, you’re sleeping with angels tonight
Serenade, I’m sleeping with eyes open wide
Serenade you for the last time.
Serenade, I’m breaking the silence tonight
Serenade, you’re hoping the feeling will die
Serenade you for the last time.
So take your leave,
I’ll take my time
Your lips are shaking
And your eyes, they are afraid to meet mine
How fast you break from who you are
The part of me you loved
Is now the hand that rips us apart
Go change your face,
Go change your heart
Go find your place
And put an end to this all
And when you find
You’re back where you began
There will be nothing left
There will be nothing left
So just remember that this
Is how you wanted it
Now just remember
It’s exactly how you wanted it all
Serenade, you’re sleeping with angels tonight
Serenade, I’m sleeping with eyes open wide
Serenade you for the last time.
Serenade, I’m ending this story tonight
And you, you will be sleeping with your demons and lies
Serenade you for the last time
We will be a pale gray memory
Of everything I once loved
A still cold heart,
That won’t stop beating.
And by the time you wake up
Bitter, and alone
With nothing but your chemicals
To keep you awake all night
I will be galaxies from here
But I’ll still miss you
So my dear,
Serenade, you’re sleeping with angels tonight
Serenade, I’m sleeping with eyes open wide
Serenade you for the last time.
Well this is more than I deserve
And I know
That I am nothing more
Than a trophy that lost its shine
Your perfect prize
Was just a person after all
And as I watch the ocean swallow up the sun
To set these waves on fire
Will open the sky for us
So I can finally get away
So I can finally find a place where I can be free
(serenade)
Serenade, you’re sleeping with angels tonight
Serenade, I’m sleeping with eyes open wide
Serenade you for the last time.
Serenade, I’m breaking the silence tonight
Serenade, you’re hoping the feeling will die
Serenade you for the last time.
So take your leave,
I’ll take my time
Your lips are shaking
And your eyes, they are afraid to meet mine
How fast you break from who you are
The part of me you loved
Is now the hand that rips us apart
Go change your face,
Go change your heart
Go find your place
And put an end to this all
And when you find
You’re back where you began
There will be nothing left
There will be nothing left
So just remember that this
Is how you wanted it
Now just remember
It’s exactly how you wanted it all
Serenade, you’re sleeping with angels tonight
Serenade, I’m sleeping with eyes open wide
Serenade you for the last time.
Serenade, I’m ending this story tonight
And you, you will be sleeping with your demons and lies
Serenade you for the last time
Lyrics submitted by omfg cc hxc
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Great song. I think that they're the second best South African rock band, after the Parlotones (if you don't count Seether). If they were from the US or Europe they would've already made it big.
soo proudly south african:) they are great live! luv this song, means so much wen u listen closely