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.
'Cause in the end I'll see the colors through the dark
(An empty room doors shut and locked
You're keeping all of us inside)
But rest assured all I can do is
(Play along with this game you've played for years
I'm callin' it quits just to survive)
The only way to feel alive
Is to sow my eyes shut and give it time
This shouldn't be happening
I can't quite seem to figure you out
You think you've got everything (under control)
But deep down, you're crumbling
I've given up on trying to make sense of it all
Through all the lies you dragged along with you
(Your silence is heard through the noise you created)
I should have seen it coming
A charming smile holding a loaded gun
You came and got what you wanted and now you're disappearing
So go ahead and have your fun
I should've known all along
(I should've known all along)
Drop the anchor
Your facade is your claim to fame
Standing outside of your window
Is a boy in fear of living amidst the destruction
The people surrounding a statue of you are screaming
"Give me a reason! A reason for treason!"
(An empty room doors shut and locked
You're keeping all of us inside)
But rest assured all I can do is
(Play along with this game you've played for years
I'm callin' it quits just to survive)
The only way to feel alive
Is to sow my eyes shut and give it time
This shouldn't be happening
I can't quite seem to figure you out
You think you've got everything (under control)
But deep down, you're crumbling
I've given up on trying to make sense of it all
Through all the lies you dragged along with you
(Your silence is heard through the noise you created)
I should have seen it coming
A charming smile holding a loaded gun
You came and got what you wanted and now you're disappearing
So go ahead and have your fun
I should've known all along
(I should've known all along)
Drop the anchor
Your facade is your claim to fame
Standing outside of your window
Is a boy in fear of living amidst the destruction
The people surrounding a statue of you are screaming
"Give me a reason! A reason for treason!"
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.