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.
Please take a long hard look through your text book
'Cause I'm history
When I strap my helmet on I'll be long gone
Cause I've been dying to leave
Yeah, I'll ride the range and hide all my loose change
In my bedroom
'Cause riding a dirt bike down a turnpike
Always takes it's toll on me
I've had just about enough
Of quote, "diamonds in the rough"
Because my backbone is paper thin
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in (I'll cave in, I'll cave in)
If the bombs go off
The sun will still be shining (the sun will still be shining)
Because we've heard it said that every mushroom cloud
Has a silver lining
(Though we're always undermining too deep to know)
Swallow a drop of gravel and blacktop
'Cause the road tastes like wintergreen
The wind and the rain smell of oil and octane
Mixed with stale gasoline
I'll soak up the sound trying to sleep on the wet ground
I'll get ten minutes give-or-take
'Cause I just don't foresee myself getting drowsy
When cold integrity keeps me wide awake
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in (cave in, cave in, cave in, cave in, cave in)
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in
I'll keep my helmet on just in case my head caves in (in case my head caves in)
'Cause if my thoughts collapse or my framework snaps
It'll make a mess like you wouldn't believe
Tie my handlebars to the stars so I stay on track (so I stay on track)
And if my intentions stray I'll wrench them away
Then I'll take my leave and I won't even look back
I won't even look back
'Cause I'm history
When I strap my helmet on I'll be long gone
Cause I've been dying to leave
Yeah, I'll ride the range and hide all my loose change
In my bedroom
'Cause riding a dirt bike down a turnpike
Always takes it's toll on me
I've had just about enough
Of quote, "diamonds in the rough"
Because my backbone is paper thin
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in (I'll cave in, I'll cave in)
If the bombs go off
The sun will still be shining (the sun will still be shining)
Because we've heard it said that every mushroom cloud
Has a silver lining
(Though we're always undermining too deep to know)
Swallow a drop of gravel and blacktop
'Cause the road tastes like wintergreen
The wind and the rain smell of oil and octane
Mixed with stale gasoline
I'll soak up the sound trying to sleep on the wet ground
I'll get ten minutes give-or-take
'Cause I just don't foresee myself getting drowsy
When cold integrity keeps me wide awake
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in (cave in, cave in, cave in, cave in, cave in)
Get me out of this cavern
Or I'll cave in
I'll keep my helmet on just in case my head caves in (in case my head caves in)
'Cause if my thoughts collapse or my framework snaps
It'll make a mess like you wouldn't believe
Tie my handlebars to the stars so I stay on track (so I stay on track)
And if my intentions stray I'll wrench them away
Then I'll take my leave and I won't even look back
I won't even look back
Lyrics submitted by LovelyMauve
Cave In Lyrics as written by Adam R. Young
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Seeing as Adam (aka Owl City) is a very outspoken Christian and at least one other song on the album (Meteor Shower) clearly reflects, I'd say that you could argue that the song is a metaphor for running away from temptation. This could be in a secular sense too, but the last few lines (Tie my handlebars to the stars so I stay on track/And if my intentions stray I'll wrench them away/Then I'll take my leave and I won't even look back") seem to fit the religious side. Basically, as I see it, the song is basically about getting out of a place/situation that's causing harm. Also, a bit of trivia: Matt Thiessen of Relient K does the overlapping vocals on this song and others on Ocean Eyes.
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