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.
A few days have passed since I heard the word
There is not much time left for me in this world
I try to be strong so I put on this mask
Yet the burden of death is a heavy task
About to lose my everything
Cancellation of my future dreams
So I have written my testament
My desire to live it screams
I received my death sentence
From a friendly man in white
The being that is my essence
Soon to fade into the night
When you go out of town do you ever think of me
The poison you put in your veins might make you share my fate
I am so scared that I am shaking all day long
Answer to the great mystery, most likely I'll be gone
The doctors are kind but unable to help
As the panic grows I reflect on the self
Will I remain beyond or will I be reborn
For what is not longer should never be mourned
As darkness and light collide I finally understand
Atheism and faith unite as nature lets go of my mind
As I let go to never ever again be here
Passing into the heavenly void, never again to be scared
There is not much time left for me in this world
I try to be strong so I put on this mask
Yet the burden of death is a heavy task
About to lose my everything
Cancellation of my future dreams
So I have written my testament
My desire to live it screams
I received my death sentence
From a friendly man in white
The being that is my essence
Soon to fade into the night
When you go out of town do you ever think of me
The poison you put in your veins might make you share my fate
I am so scared that I am shaking all day long
Answer to the great mystery, most likely I'll be gone
The doctors are kind but unable to help
As the panic grows I reflect on the self
Will I remain beyond or will I be reborn
For what is not longer should never be mourned
As darkness and light collide I finally understand
Atheism and faith unite as nature lets go of my mind
As I let go to never ever again be here
Passing into the heavenly void, never again to be scared
Lyrics submitted by Howodd27
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.