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.
Been here way too long, feel the walls closing in
Now don't get me wrong, just got to get back out there again
I'm biding my time 'til I can clock out for the day
When I'm on my own dime, you'll hear me say
Satan get behind me, you'll never find me
Once I finally break free
Objects in mirror gonna disappear
You know where I will be
Riding that 72 Highway
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway (I'm ready to go)
Roll the windows down, feel the wind hit my face
Get on out of town, give my senses some space
They're playing my song, crank it up, feel the beat
Singing along, my life is complete
Satan get behind me, you'll never find me
Once I finally break free
Objects in mirror gonna disappear
You know where I will be
Riding that 72 Highway
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway (Get ready to go)
Riding that 72 Highway
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway (I'm ready to go)
Riding that 72 Highway (windows down, wind in my face)
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway
Now don't get me wrong, just got to get back out there again
I'm biding my time 'til I can clock out for the day
When I'm on my own dime, you'll hear me say
Satan get behind me, you'll never find me
Once I finally break free
Objects in mirror gonna disappear
You know where I will be
Riding that 72 Highway
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway (I'm ready to go)
Roll the windows down, feel the wind hit my face
Get on out of town, give my senses some space
They're playing my song, crank it up, feel the beat
Singing along, my life is complete
Satan get behind me, you'll never find me
Once I finally break free
Objects in mirror gonna disappear
You know where I will be
Riding that 72 Highway
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway (Get ready to go)
Riding that 72 Highway
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway (I'm ready to go)
Riding that 72 Highway (windows down, wind in my face)
Finally I'm able to do it my way
All the problems and pain, the struggle and strain
I'll leave 'em on the side of the road
While I'm riding that 72 Highway
Lyrics submitted by MaskOfSanity
72 Highway Lyrics as written by Joshua James
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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