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.
What used to be a house of cards
Has turned into a reservoir
Save the tears that were water falling
Let's go swim tonight, darling
And once outside the undertow
Just you and me, and nothing more
If not for love, I would be drowning
I've seen it work both ways
But I am up riding high amongst the waves
Where I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
Where I can feel like I've
Put away my early grave
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
Remember back, the early days
When you were young, and less amazed
Suddenly the channel changed
The first time you saw blood
Cut to later, now you're strong
You've bled yourself, the wounds are gone
It's rare when there is nothing wrong
Survived and you're amongst the fittest
Love ain't love until you feel it
Up riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
Hey yeah
Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
Say it now
Better loud than too late
Has turned into a reservoir
Save the tears that were water falling
Let's go swim tonight, darling
And once outside the undertow
Just you and me, and nothing more
If not for love, I would be drowning
I've seen it work both ways
But I am up riding high amongst the waves
Where I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
Where I can feel like I've
Put away my early grave
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
Remember back, the early days
When you were young, and less amazed
Suddenly the channel changed
The first time you saw blood
Cut to later, now you're strong
You've bled yourself, the wounds are gone
It's rare when there is nothing wrong
Survived and you're amongst the fittest
Love ain't love until you feel it
Up riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
Hey yeah
Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
I gotta say it now
Better loud than too late
Say it now
Better loud than too late
Lyrics submitted by Hrd2Imagin
Amongst the Waves Lyrics as written by Stone Gossard Eddie Vedder
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think fanman475 got it backward. This song is about him and Jill. "Let's go swim tonight, darlin ... Just you and me and nothin' more"
It's because they have both loved and lost that they can love each other fully (because you know what's like to lose it). "Love ain't love until you give it up"