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.
I saw her wait, waiting at the bus stop
Watching as her tears dropped
Like pennies down a well, oh well
We can drink until the Sun comes up
I never let a good thing go
So I'll stay here if you're not leaving
I am on your side
This house is empty
We could cross the line
Yeah we could make a big mistake
The silence breaks and you hear me say
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
You don't have to go.
I saw your man; a fast car and a dark sun tan
You said he's in a punk rock band
But baby, punk rock's dead
Oh well
We could drink 'til you forget about him
It's not like he waits up for you
I'm sure he'd do the same thing too
But I am on your side
This house is empty
We could cross the line
Yeah we could make a big mistake
The silence breaks and you hear me say
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
You don't have to
I knew it was a crime
I did it anyway
I tell 'em we're like magnets,
I tell 'em I feel no shame
If I crawl into your blood
Can I sleep under your skin?
Come on let me in, don't make me wait
I am on your side
This house is empty
We could cross the line
Yeah we could be making a big mistake
The silence breaks and you hear me say
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
You don't have to go
You don't have to go.
Watching as her tears dropped
Like pennies down a well, oh well
We can drink until the Sun comes up
I never let a good thing go
So I'll stay here if you're not leaving
I am on your side
This house is empty
We could cross the line
Yeah we could make a big mistake
The silence breaks and you hear me say
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
You don't have to go.
I saw your man; a fast car and a dark sun tan
You said he's in a punk rock band
But baby, punk rock's dead
Oh well
We could drink 'til you forget about him
It's not like he waits up for you
I'm sure he'd do the same thing too
But I am on your side
This house is empty
We could cross the line
Yeah we could make a big mistake
The silence breaks and you hear me say
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
You don't have to
I knew it was a crime
I did it anyway
I tell 'em we're like magnets,
I tell 'em I feel no shame
If I crawl into your blood
Can I sleep under your skin?
Come on let me in, don't make me wait
I am on your side
This house is empty
We could cross the line
Yeah we could be making a big mistake
The silence breaks and you hear me say
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to go)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
(You don't have to)
"Don't go, don't go, so far away"
You don't have to go
You don't have to go.
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
To me, this song is about a guy (A) who loves a girl who is in a relationship with another guy (B) who plays in a band. Guy B doesn't take care of the girl and she is very sad, but on the other hand, Guy A loves the girl and feels very sad for her. So when they hook up they can't fight their feelings and ultimately end up cheating on Guy B from the band.
"I am on your side This house is empty We could cross the line Yeah we could make a big mistake The silence breaks and you hear me say
"Don't go, don't go, so far away" (You don't have to go) "Don't go, don't go, so far away" You don't have to go."
This may refer to them being alone and thinking about the consequences about if they get through with this thing. Guy A really loves the girl and tells her that she doesn't have to go.
"I saw your man, a fast car and a dark sun tan You said he's in a punk rock band But baby, punk rock's dead Oh well We could drink 'til you forget about him It's not like he waits up for you I'm sure he'd do the same thing too"
This is Guy A talking about Guy B to the girl and how he doesn't care about her and trying to convince her to forget about him.
"I knew it was a crime I did it anyway I tell 'em we're like magnets, I tell 'em I feel no shame If I crawl into your blood Can I sleep under your skin? Come on let me in, don't make me wait"
This is a very important part of the story of this song. This is the confession of Guy A on falling in love with a girl who is in a relationship like the girl depicted in this song. He feels no shame for loving her and maybe cheating on Guy B, he doesn't care about what people think about as long as he has those strong feelings for her. He tells the girl to end this and let him in into her heart.
These are my two cents on this song, which is very simple but I think has a very powerful meaning.