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.
When the storm comes
Will you reject the rain
If it falls not soft
If it falls not tame?
When the wind blows
And calls your name
Will you run in fear
Will you hide in shame?
Are you strong enough to bend?
Yes, don't stand against the wind
Cos you know you're gonna break
When ages comes
Will you call my name
Will you cut me down
Just to ease your pain?
When truth comes
Will you accept the blame?
Cos history will teach us
We were all on those plains
Are you strong enough to bend?
Don't stand against the wind
Cos you know you're gonna break
When love comes
Will you release the rain
Will you change the world
To the song you sang?
Or when the smoke clears
Will your hope remain
To make some peace
On this land you claim?
Are you strong enough to bend?
Don't stand against the wind
Cos you know you're gonna break
When the storm comes
Will you reject the rain
If it falls not soft
If it falls not tame?
Will you reject the rain
If it falls not soft
If it falls not tame?
When the wind blows
And calls your name
Will you run in fear
Will you hide in shame?
Are you strong enough to bend?
Yes, don't stand against the wind
Cos you know you're gonna break
When ages comes
Will you call my name
Will you cut me down
Just to ease your pain?
When truth comes
Will you accept the blame?
Cos history will teach us
We were all on those plains
Are you strong enough to bend?
Don't stand against the wind
Cos you know you're gonna break
When love comes
Will you release the rain
Will you change the world
To the song you sang?
Or when the smoke clears
Will your hope remain
To make some peace
On this land you claim?
Are you strong enough to bend?
Don't stand against the wind
Cos you know you're gonna break
When the storm comes
Will you reject the rain
If it falls not soft
If it falls not tame?
Lyrics submitted by heyjuderefrain
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Are you strong enough to bend to me means having the true strength to appear weak. similar theme carries through "it's not impossible". Sometimes it's harder to compromise...something like that.