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.
And so now, now that you realized
That planets are spheres with oil on the inside
And your God is only a catapult
Waiting for the right time to let you go into the unknown
Just to watch you hold your breath
Yeah and surrender your fortress
And your thoughts will tumble like rocks do
Over the valleys of factory oceans
The Turkish carpets are flapping
As the wind drops you down to the surface
Yeah you're looking for the sweethearts
And you're, you're the kind to hide your eyes from the sun
And in your world, the strong survive
But I won't take my body down
Let me tell you your arms are like boulders
And your shoulders are cliffs
But your head keeps rolling off
And your spine, it is weak
From the weight on your shoulders
And from difference of opinion
There is a song you hear on the radio
It's a funeral march so you change the channel
But it's all you hear as you're driving up the 101 from Mexico to California
Yeah, there's no snow when you’re looking for your sweethearts
There's no snow when you’re looking for your answers
Yeah you're, you're the kind to hide your eyes from the sun
And in your world the strong survive
But I won't take my body down
Yeah, by the time they get your letter of explanation
You'll be dead and gone, barking up a new tree
And eying up some new friends
It's scaring off the families while tidying up your loose ends
Chasing squirrels around your property
Making sure that they know that this is your kingdom
And nothing will stop it, yeah nothing will stop it
If nothing will stop it, yeah nothing will stop it
And you're, you're the kind to hide your eyes from the sun
And in your world the strong survive
But won't you lay your body down
Yes and now, now's the time to wrap your ears
Around the sounds of your train coming round
But you don't have to lay everything down
That planets are spheres with oil on the inside
And your God is only a catapult
Waiting for the right time to let you go into the unknown
Just to watch you hold your breath
Yeah and surrender your fortress
And your thoughts will tumble like rocks do
Over the valleys of factory oceans
The Turkish carpets are flapping
As the wind drops you down to the surface
Yeah you're looking for the sweethearts
And you're, you're the kind to hide your eyes from the sun
And in your world, the strong survive
But I won't take my body down
Let me tell you your arms are like boulders
And your shoulders are cliffs
But your head keeps rolling off
And your spine, it is weak
From the weight on your shoulders
And from difference of opinion
There is a song you hear on the radio
It's a funeral march so you change the channel
But it's all you hear as you're driving up the 101 from Mexico to California
Yeah, there's no snow when you’re looking for your sweethearts
There's no snow when you’re looking for your answers
Yeah you're, you're the kind to hide your eyes from the sun
And in your world the strong survive
But I won't take my body down
Yeah, by the time they get your letter of explanation
You'll be dead and gone, barking up a new tree
And eying up some new friends
It's scaring off the families while tidying up your loose ends
Chasing squirrels around your property
Making sure that they know that this is your kingdom
And nothing will stop it, yeah nothing will stop it
If nothing will stop it, yeah nothing will stop it
And you're, you're the kind to hide your eyes from the sun
And in your world the strong survive
But won't you lay your body down
Yes and now, now's the time to wrap your ears
Around the sounds of your train coming round
But you don't have to lay everything down
Lyrics submitted by sgtpep86, edited by smallwonderrobot
Arms Like Boulders Lyrics as written by Adam Granofsky
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Yea it's definitely "oil" on the inside. I love this song! It makes me feel wistful for nothing in particular. It sounds like a summer night drive.