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.
You see the night is all I have to make me feel
And all I want is just a love to make it hurt
Cause all I need is something fine to make me lose
Now it's a funny way I find myself with you
Because a song is all I have to make me feel
And all it takes is just a love to make it hurt
And every sound arranged in time can make me lose
Now it's a funny way I find myself with you
But now there's nothing left to do but waste my time
I never knew where to move one,
I never knew what to rely on
And now there's nothing left to say to change your mind
And if you're unhappy still,
I will be hanging on your line should you return
should you return
should you return
Cause the night is all I have to make me feel
And all I want is just a dream to make it worthwhile
Cause all I need is someone close to make me lose
Now it's a funny way I find myself with you
But now there's nothing left to do but waste my time
I never knew where to move on,
I never knew what to rely upon
But now there's nothing left to say,
To change your mind
And if you're unhappy still,
I will be hanging on your line
But now there's nothing left to do to Draw your eyes
(but now there's nothing left to do)
I never knew where to move on,
I never knew what to rely upon
But now there's nothing left to say to change your mind
And if you're just sinking down,
I will pulling on your line
But now there's nothing left to do but Waste my time
I never knew where to move on,
I never knew what to rely upon
But now there's nothing left to say to change your mind
And if you're unhappy still,
I will be hanging on your line should you return
should you return
should you return
And all I want is just a love to make it hurt
Cause all I need is something fine to make me lose
Now it's a funny way I find myself with you
Because a song is all I have to make me feel
And all it takes is just a love to make it hurt
And every sound arranged in time can make me lose
Now it's a funny way I find myself with you
But now there's nothing left to do but waste my time
I never knew where to move one,
I never knew what to rely on
And now there's nothing left to say to change your mind
And if you're unhappy still,
I will be hanging on your line should you return
should you return
should you return
Cause the night is all I have to make me feel
And all I want is just a dream to make it worthwhile
Cause all I need is someone close to make me lose
Now it's a funny way I find myself with you
But now there's nothing left to do but waste my time
I never knew where to move on,
I never knew what to rely upon
But now there's nothing left to say,
To change your mind
And if you're unhappy still,
I will be hanging on your line
But now there's nothing left to do to Draw your eyes
(but now there's nothing left to do)
I never knew where to move on,
I never knew what to rely upon
But now there's nothing left to say to change your mind
And if you're just sinking down,
I will pulling on your line
But now there's nothing left to do but Waste my time
I never knew where to move on,
I never knew what to rely upon
But now there's nothing left to say to change your mind
And if you're unhappy still,
I will be hanging on your line should you return
should you return
should you return
Lyrics submitted by Day Glass, edited by jonathanho
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
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This song is so amazing, the best way to open the new album. It was hard to make it to the rest of the album cause I was listening to this song over and over.
This CD... It's like so sad. And yet calming at the same time...
This CD... It's like so sad. And yet calming at the same time...