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.
Turn on the lights
Step back and listen to my words
I'm tired of waiting for you to make it up in your mind
Let me out of here, let me breath again
Do something better than complaining
You are the only one to change yourself
You rise me up and spit me to the ground
Your selfishness is tearing us apart
There's nothing special in the sky that you pretend to see
It's lonely, cold and dark, we know it both
Why are you afraid to take the step beyond the borders?
We can never know what is waiting there for us
It is a close call
So we can barely breath
It's always good enough for you not to change anything
I know you're just too scared to say it all aloud
You're always so indifferent
And I won't waste my time on letting go
It's not worth dying for, it's not worth dying for
And I won't chase your dreams instead of mine
It's not worth dying for, it's not worth dying for
Stop being a fake, I'm watching you
Your lies turn you into a slave
And if you're reading this
You're probably pretty close to the day that will save us all
Now everyone listen with your rotting hearts
It's not the way how things should be, It's not the way how things should be
Why are you afraid to take the step beyond the borders?
We can never know what is waiting there for us
Step back and listen to my words
I'm tired of waiting for you to make it up in your mind
Let me out of here, let me breath again
Do something better than complaining
You are the only one to change yourself
You rise me up and spit me to the ground
Your selfishness is tearing us apart
There's nothing special in the sky that you pretend to see
It's lonely, cold and dark, we know it both
Why are you afraid to take the step beyond the borders?
We can never know what is waiting there for us
It is a close call
So we can barely breath
It's always good enough for you not to change anything
I know you're just too scared to say it all aloud
You're always so indifferent
And I won't waste my time on letting go
It's not worth dying for, it's not worth dying for
And I won't chase your dreams instead of mine
It's not worth dying for, it's not worth dying for
Stop being a fake, I'm watching you
Your lies turn you into a slave
And if you're reading this
You're probably pretty close to the day that will save us all
Now everyone listen with your rotting hearts
It's not the way how things should be, It's not the way how things should be
Why are you afraid to take the step beyond the borders?
We can never know what is waiting there for us
Lyrics submitted by thewakebehindyou
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.