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.
Ghost lights on the water almost makes you shiver
black dog at 4am oh baby just surrender
When you’ve had enough all this entertainment
come to me and i’ll slip you the answer
take the long road when in doubt
take the long road and you’ll find your way out
keep the needle spinning round
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
Headlights, alarm bells always kept you moving
red sun sets and daydreams baby just you keep em coming
When you’ve had enough of all of your creations
come to me and i’ll show you the river
take the long road when in doubt
take the long road and you’ll find your way out
keep the needle spinning round
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
and you hide
and you hide yourself away
and you hide
and you hide yourself away
take the long road when in doubt
take the long road and you’ll find your way out
keep the needle spinning round
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
black dog at 4am oh baby just surrender
When you’ve had enough all this entertainment
come to me and i’ll slip you the answer
take the long road when in doubt
take the long road and you’ll find your way out
keep the needle spinning round
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
Headlights, alarm bells always kept you moving
red sun sets and daydreams baby just you keep em coming
When you’ve had enough of all of your creations
come to me and i’ll show you the river
take the long road when in doubt
take the long road and you’ll find your way out
keep the needle spinning round
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
and you hide
and you hide yourself away
and you hide
and you hide yourself away
take the long road when in doubt
take the long road and you’ll find your way out
keep the needle spinning round
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
find a place and just lay your body down
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
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.
I don't BELIEVE this song wasn't up before! It has to be one of my favorite Fratellis songs. I love the way the chorus gets so dark and dirty and drags you in.