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.
They'll build statues in our likeness
They wanted to be like us
But did they ever like us anyway?
(We always) gave 'em the cold shoulder
Our shoulders just got colder
They deserve an elbow to the face
I'll build this monument just to tear it down
(Tear it down now)
And dedicate it to this bitter town and this broken sound
(Here we go)
And I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Yeah, I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Wish you were here
I'll build a throne Make from the bones
Of those who died searching for gold
Just to find it's found inside our hearts
"What a jip," you'll hear them say
Tossing, turning in their graves
All this time searching in vain for what?
Blowing kisses to the masses
In this ticker-tape parade
We're saints of this backseat
Swear to God, we've got it Make
(Got it Make)
And I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Yeah, I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
I wish you were here
(Today) we're making history
(Tonight) tonight we'll take it to the streets
(Tomorrow) we'll live in infamy
We're under attack
Pull the knife from my back and hold it to their throats
(To their throats, to their throats)
And I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Yeah, I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
They'll build statues in our likeness
They wanted to be like us
But did they ever like us anyway?
They wanted to be like us
But did they ever like us anyway?
(We always) gave 'em the cold shoulder
Our shoulders just got colder
They deserve an elbow to the face
I'll build this monument just to tear it down
(Tear it down now)
And dedicate it to this bitter town and this broken sound
(Here we go)
And I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Yeah, I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Wish you were here
I'll build a throne Make from the bones
Of those who died searching for gold
Just to find it's found inside our hearts
"What a jip," you'll hear them say
Tossing, turning in their graves
All this time searching in vain for what?
Blowing kisses to the masses
In this ticker-tape parade
We're saints of this backseat
Swear to God, we've got it Make
(Got it Make)
And I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Yeah, I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
I wish you were here
(Today) we're making history
(Tonight) tonight we'll take it to the streets
(Tomorrow) we'll live in infamy
We're under attack
Pull the knife from my back and hold it to their throats
(To their throats, to their throats)
And I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
Yeah, I'll send postcards to enemies
Make sure to sign and date each one while singing
"Wish you were here"
They'll build statues in our likeness
They wanted to be like us
But did they ever like us anyway?
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
Correct:
Blowing kisses to the messes in this sicker day parade The saints of this back seat swear to god they've got it made (got it made)