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.
He could fall and she could weep
But as holy are her feet and hard with mention
But dear they may not speak
We fell tight when there is tension and their eyes could make us weak
And his heart was full of fire at the man he had become
And his soul was seldom higher with the falsities of fun
He could embrace sweet desire as in moments as they pass
But he feared it ever more, when he saw it didn't last
We walk up Holland avenue
and watch the rich as they consume
Their product made our hearts exude emptiness unrivalled by
The hunger that I could control
And he'd pray up to his God that he might save his soul
But the grey in this city is too much to bear
The grey in this city is too much to bear
And I believe you are meant to be seen but not to be understood
And I want to be held those eyes
I want to be held those eyes
You'll work your thumbs till they're sore
And you'll work my heart till it's raw
and you'll call and you'll call but you'll never be told
and I'll fall and I'll fall and I'll fall
and I'll fall and I'll fall and I'll fall
We are basic lies
We are basic lies
It's going to be pretty tough when you leave
You'll help to take a little part of me
To make sure you don't treat yourself mean
And I want to see all that you'll see
And we are basic lies
And we are basic lies
But as holy are her feet and hard with mention
But dear they may not speak
We fell tight when there is tension and their eyes could make us weak
And his heart was full of fire at the man he had become
And his soul was seldom higher with the falsities of fun
He could embrace sweet desire as in moments as they pass
But he feared it ever more, when he saw it didn't last
We walk up Holland avenue
and watch the rich as they consume
Their product made our hearts exude emptiness unrivalled by
The hunger that I could control
And he'd pray up to his God that he might save his soul
But the grey in this city is too much to bear
The grey in this city is too much to bear
And I believe you are meant to be seen but not to be understood
And I want to be held those eyes
I want to be held those eyes
You'll work your thumbs till they're sore
And you'll work my heart till it's raw
and you'll call and you'll call but you'll never be told
and I'll fall and I'll fall and I'll fall
and I'll fall and I'll fall and I'll fall
We are basic lies
We are basic lies
It's going to be pretty tough when you leave
You'll help to take a little part of me
To make sure you don't treat yourself mean
And I want to see all that you'll see
And we are basic lies
And we are basic lies
Lyrics submitted by crumbs, edited by siliconyoda, starvingartist79
Alpha Shallows Lyrics as written by Laura Beatrice Marling
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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isn't it rather "You'll HAVE to take a little part of me" ? and i was thinking it's "and watch the riches they consume" (not rich as), but maybe i want to hear that. ;) wonderful song.