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.
The unknown distance to the great beyond
Stares back at my grieving frame
To cast my shadow by the holy sun
My spirit moans with a sacred pain
And it's quiet now
The universe is standing still
[Chorus]
There's nothing I can say
There's nothing we can do now
There's nothing I can say
There's nothing we can do now
And all that stands between the souls release
This temporary flesh and bone
We know that it's over now
I feel my faded mind begin to roam
Every time you fall
And every time you try
Every foolish dream
And every compromise
Every word you spoke
And everything you said
Everything you left me, rambles in my head
[Chorus]
Up above the world so high
And everything you loved
And every time you try
Everybody's watching
Everybody cry
Stay, don't leave me
The stars can't for your sign
Don't signal now
[Chorus]
Goodnight, travel well
Goodnight, travel well
And there's nothing I can say
There's nothing I can do now
Stares back at my grieving frame
To cast my shadow by the holy sun
My spirit moans with a sacred pain
And it's quiet now
The universe is standing still
[Chorus]
There's nothing I can say
There's nothing we can do now
There's nothing I can say
There's nothing we can do now
And all that stands between the souls release
This temporary flesh and bone
We know that it's over now
I feel my faded mind begin to roam
Every time you fall
And every time you try
Every foolish dream
And every compromise
Every word you spoke
And everything you said
Everything you left me, rambles in my head
[Chorus]
Up above the world so high
And everything you loved
And every time you try
Everybody's watching
Everybody cry
Stay, don't leave me
The stars can't for your sign
Don't signal now
[Chorus]
Goodnight, travel well
Goodnight, travel well
And there's nothing I can say
There's nothing I can do now
Lyrics submitted by jeremygrim
Goodnight, Travel Well Lyrics as written by Dave Brent Keuning Brandon Flowers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I find it interesting that not many people (if any) have discussed the "great beyond" part of the song throughout these comments. I've always interepreted it to be from a first person perspective. I had a close friend die of cancer and a few days before he passed we were in his room in the hospital. At one point he told us that he may be counting his days, but we were all being rather optimistic about the situation. After he died, one of my best friends looked at me and said, "you know Johny knew he was dying." That still haunts me and probably will forever. I can't imagine what must've been going through his head at that time. He knew it was over. There's nothing I can say or do now.
I do find "great beyond" and "travel well" very interesting. I'd like to know what Brandon means here. Where is that soul releasing to?? Very cool and very spiritual. Good work fellas.