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.
Leave all your clothes buried in the sand
Who knows when we'll be coming back again
Come on in, man, the water's getting cold
See if you sink or swim or float
When the tide came in we tried to act surprised
What could the ocean want
With the things that we left behind
Swimming back to land and I realized
It was the only time that year I felt alive
We booked a one way going overseas
Feels like I'm living someone else's dream
I tried my best to keep from turning back
I'm scared, you may have been my better half
Oh, I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
And the story ends the same as it began
I never know when I'll be coming around again
Staring at the sand I realized
It was the only time that year that I felt alive
I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
Who knows when we'll be coming back again
Come on in, man, the water's getting cold
See if you sink or swim or float
When the tide came in we tried to act surprised
What could the ocean want
With the things that we left behind
Swimming back to land and I realized
It was the only time that year I felt alive
We booked a one way going overseas
Feels like I'm living someone else's dream
I tried my best to keep from turning back
I'm scared, you may have been my better half
Oh, I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
And the story ends the same as it began
I never know when I'll be coming around again
Staring at the sand I realized
It was the only time that year that I felt alive
I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
I'm on the edge about to choke
About to choke, about to choke
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.
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
I find a pretty simple meaning in this song.
To me it says:
It is the times where we lack control, and experience the most uncertainty, that we feel the most alive.
-Going for a skinny dip in the ocean leaves yourself completely vulnerable, although it's fun.
-Going overseas (one-way ticket) to chase a dream or for whatever reason may seem like a huge risk to you at the time, and you may feel you are "about to choke"(give up), but it's worth it in the end to gain that experience.
Basically, you may feel scared or unsure of where you are headed at times, not knowing what could happen in life. But you later realize it is those moments that you hold dearest.
podcastfearless.com/nmb/index.php
8:23 in this podcast if you want to hear it.
i think he says "i'm scared you may have been my better half".