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.
I felt it, the wire touched my neck
And then someone pulled it tighter
I never saw it coming, I started to black out
And then someone said good morning
I took it as a warning
I should have seen it coming
So now I'll take a chance on
This thing we may have started
Intentional or not, I don't think we saw it coming
It's all adding up to something
That asks for some involvement
That ask for our commitment
I think I see it coming
If we step out of that limb
My heart beat beats me senselessly
Why's everything got to be so intense with me
I'm trying to handle all this unpredictability
In all probability
It's a long shot, but I say why not
If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it, there's no chance
'Cause you're the best I got
So take a long shot
I realize that there is all this starting
Things we're both scared about
That we'll never see them coming
Throw caution to the wind
And we'll see which way it's blowing
And to this pulling on
We'll never see it coming
Until it's much to close to stop
My heart beat beats me senselessly
Why's everything got to be so intense with me
I'm trying to handle all this unpredictability
In all probability
It's a long shot, but I say why not
If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it, there's no chance
'Cause you're the best I got
So take a long shot
Oh I waited for fact to come of fiction
And you fit my description
I never saw you coming
But we'll make it
It's a long shot, but I say why not
If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it, there's no chance, no chance
'Cause you're the best I got
It's a long shot but I say why not
If I say forget it I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it
It's a long shot but I say why not
Oh you never saw me coming
And then someone pulled it tighter
I never saw it coming, I started to black out
And then someone said good morning
I took it as a warning
I should have seen it coming
So now I'll take a chance on
This thing we may have started
Intentional or not, I don't think we saw it coming
It's all adding up to something
That asks for some involvement
That ask for our commitment
I think I see it coming
If we step out of that limb
My heart beat beats me senselessly
Why's everything got to be so intense with me
I'm trying to handle all this unpredictability
In all probability
It's a long shot, but I say why not
If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it, there's no chance
'Cause you're the best I got
So take a long shot
I realize that there is all this starting
Things we're both scared about
That we'll never see them coming
Throw caution to the wind
And we'll see which way it's blowing
And to this pulling on
We'll never see it coming
Until it's much to close to stop
My heart beat beats me senselessly
Why's everything got to be so intense with me
I'm trying to handle all this unpredictability
In all probability
It's a long shot, but I say why not
If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it, there's no chance
'Cause you're the best I got
So take a long shot
Oh I waited for fact to come of fiction
And you fit my description
I never saw you coming
But we'll make it
It's a long shot, but I say why not
If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it, there's no chance, no chance
'Cause you're the best I got
It's a long shot but I say why not
If I say forget it I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it
It's a long shot but I say why not
Oh you never saw me coming
Lyrics submitted by dontwasteyoursong
Long Shot Lyrics as written by Glen Ballard Katy Perry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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 love this song!
Its my favorite form this cd I think!