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.
Dahlias, they come from me
A promise to get well
That ain't workin', thinkin' that you're no good
Don't worry 'cause I'm not the kind to kiss and tell
No dahlias and cherry trees
I don't recall them anyway
Some lovers know it ain't gonna wear out
To each his own, the same
Look what you wasted
When the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Our daily compromise it is
Written in your signed armistice
And when the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Well, we'll decide as always
Here is your signed armistice
It's time to follow, and not to heat it up
Requesting this plane is a propeller
In the middle of the course when ambitions are low
Head on close, hang on before you lose control
The octagon logo, had to rip it up
The semaphore message on your lips
Some lovers know it ain't gonna wear out
To each his own, the same
One of us is wasted
When the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Our daily compromise it is
Written in your signed armistice
And when the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Well, we'll decide as always
Here is your signed armistice
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
Foreign lovers in a rush
Keeping promises
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
Foreign lovers in a rush
Keeping promises
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
A promise to get well
That ain't workin', thinkin' that you're no good
Don't worry 'cause I'm not the kind to kiss and tell
No dahlias and cherry trees
I don't recall them anyway
Some lovers know it ain't gonna wear out
To each his own, the same
Look what you wasted
When the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Our daily compromise it is
Written in your signed armistice
And when the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Well, we'll decide as always
Here is your signed armistice
It's time to follow, and not to heat it up
Requesting this plane is a propeller
In the middle of the course when ambitions are low
Head on close, hang on before you lose control
The octagon logo, had to rip it up
The semaphore message on your lips
Some lovers know it ain't gonna wear out
To each his own, the same
One of us is wasted
When the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Our daily compromise it is
Written in your signed armistice
And when the lights are cutting out
And I come down in your room
Well, we'll decide as always
Here is your signed armistice
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
Foreign lovers in a rush
Keeping promises
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
Foreign lovers in a rush
Keeping promises
For lovers in a rush
For lovers always
Lyrics submitted by WPZ, edited by minicuotas, Aicrada, Chugway
Armistice Lyrics as written by Frederic Moulin Christian Mazzalai
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Don't know if I'm the only person out there with this particular interpretation, but this is what I got from it - after reading several of the previous comments.
The part I think we can all agree on is the fact that they fight or quarrel, and then find some time for peace at night, i.e. it's a somewhat dysfunctional relationship, but they can't help being attracted to each other, whatever the reason. What intrigued me the most was the reason behind their disagreements, since the song seems to make little to no reference to it.
As someone else pointed out, "Dahlias" represent an infinite bond, this being his inconditional love, in my opinion. This, together with "cherry trees" (romance) in "Dahlias and cherry trees, I don't recall them anyway" gives me the impression that there was never any romance in this infinite commitment between them; furthermore, added with her being no good and the fact that she may be worried he will tell someone about them, adds an element of guilt. This all makes it sound like they have a secret relationship she doesn't want anyone to know about, maybe because she hates him or is supposed to, for an unknown reason. To me, this is confirmed by "some lovers know it ain't going to wear out, to each his own the same", indicating that the nature of their relationship is perhaps a bit unusual or even unconventional. "What else is wasted?" being in reference to romance, which has been wasted as she won't accept it from him. Even the fact that she's "no good" could be an explanation as to why she won't accept his love: perhaps a reputation to maintain. "The semaphore message on your lips" indicates a visual message she's sending to him, rather than verbal, presumably making him know that she wants him, or even loves him, but never saying it out loud.
As for the rest of the song, I don't completely understand what they mean, particularly in the passage...
"It's time to follow, and not to heat it up Requesting this plane is a propeller In the middle of the course when ambitions are low Head on close, hang on before you lose control"
... so if anyone has an interpretation for that I'd be very happy to hear it. The same goes for the line "the octagon logo had to rip it up", as the only thing that came to mind there was maybe a STOP road sign, but only because of the shape and the fact that right after that they speak of "semaphore" aka traffic lights.
Of course all of this could be completely off track, but you can tell something is good art when everyone takes a different thing from it. Interpretations being highly subjective and all, everyone makes of it what they want. So congratulations Phoenix on a great mystery of a song!
it means that he is aware that every time they follow up on their friendship, things tend to heat up (both physically and emotionally), they get carried away, and end up resuming their "romance". <br /> <br /> this is represented by the propeller plane taking off unnoticed. this type planes tend to fly short routes (as compared to jet planes) so things are ending soon. As the flight takes its course ambitions are low. she has no clear intentions of pursuing this relationship, but they keep going assuming things are under control (feelings), unaware that suddenly one of them will end up stirring things, and taking things out control, hence violating their armistice.