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.
My life was once a joy to me
Never knowing I was growing every day
My life was once a toy to me
And I wound it and I found it, ran away
So I raced through the night
With a face at my feet, like a god I would write
All the melodies were sweet, and the women were white
It was easy to survive
My life was so alive.
My life was once a flag to me
And I waved it and behaved like I was told
My life was once a drag to me
And I loudly and I proudly lost control
I was drawn by a dream, I was loved by a lie
Every serf on the scene begged me to buy
But I slipped through the scheme
So lucky to fail, my life was not for sale.
My life is now a myth to me
Like the drifter, with his laughter in the dawn
My life is now a death to me
So I'll mold it and I'll hold it 'till I'm born
So I turned to the land where I'm so out of place
Throw a curse on the plan in return for the grace
To know where I stand, take everything I own
Take your tap from my bone
And leave my life alone
My life alone
Never knowing I was growing every day
My life was once a toy to me
And I wound it and I found it, ran away
So I raced through the night
With a face at my feet, like a god I would write
All the melodies were sweet, and the women were white
It was easy to survive
My life was so alive.
My life was once a flag to me
And I waved it and behaved like I was told
My life was once a drag to me
And I loudly and I proudly lost control
I was drawn by a dream, I was loved by a lie
Every serf on the scene begged me to buy
But I slipped through the scheme
So lucky to fail, my life was not for sale.
My life is now a myth to me
Like the drifter, with his laughter in the dawn
My life is now a death to me
So I'll mold it and I'll hold it 'till I'm born
So I turned to the land where I'm so out of place
Throw a curse on the plan in return for the grace
To know where I stand, take everything I own
Take your tap from my bone
And leave my life alone
My life alone
Lyrics submitted by blueofthesky
My Life (Phil Ochs cover) Lyrics as written by Roy Ayers Jermaine Dupri
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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