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.
Called the house to see if anyone was home
Question the silences, the negative response
Stayed to see the sunrise raising hell over the square
Didn't lose the sense of promise laced upon the air
Education was a simple learning curve
Ruined by the lack of anything to use
Of knowing what to say and what to lock away
Pay attention for detention's here to stay
It took so long to find all the answers through the lies
It's been so long that I don't know if it's alright
Problematic interest never fails to impress
Score cards for everyone, you wear them out to dress
Badge of honor, true to code and true to form
Buried underneath all these expectations
If there was any kind of picture that I could paint for you
I bet you any money that the numbers wouldn't stick for all I know
I'll take some credit for myself if I can
And walk away from this whole scene a happier man
It took so long to find all the answers through the lies
It's been so long that I don't know if it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It took so long to wait until the end
Question the silences, the negative response
Stayed to see the sunrise raising hell over the square
Didn't lose the sense of promise laced upon the air
Education was a simple learning curve
Ruined by the lack of anything to use
Of knowing what to say and what to lock away
Pay attention for detention's here to stay
It took so long to find all the answers through the lies
It's been so long that I don't know if it's alright
Problematic interest never fails to impress
Score cards for everyone, you wear them out to dress
Badge of honor, true to code and true to form
Buried underneath all these expectations
If there was any kind of picture that I could paint for you
I bet you any money that the numbers wouldn't stick for all I know
I'll take some credit for myself if I can
And walk away from this whole scene a happier man
It took so long to find all the answers through the lies
It's been so long that I don't know if it's alright
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It took so long to wait until the end
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
from wikipedia: "Charlie Don't Surf is a famous line from the film Apocalypse Now, spoken by Colonel Kilgore as justification for taking a beach at the Mekong Delta so the American soldiers could go surfing."