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.
She said, “you can’t stay a saint that long in the city.”
You laugh at the thought on the elevator down, you’re just a phone call away.
You’re placing a big, blind bet on the underdog
And though it’s a stretch, you believe
When you’re against the odds and on your feet
With you at your best, and promises kept,
She’d rather stay here with you
On the laziest afternoons with you.
Lost in Pacific time with the sound of a dial tone
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
You woke to the screech of the wheels on a runway
An ocean of praise on a stage,
The songs of your love fall to your knees.
With you at your best, this is all you’ve got left,
She’d rather stay here with you
On the laziest afternoons with you.
Lost in Pacific time with the sound of a dial tone
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
When hearts hang on the line and all that you fear has happened,
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
Was it something that she said, something that she did
To make you leave her here alone?
Was it something that you said, something that you did
To make her leave you here?
Don’t leave me here alone.
Lost in Pacific time with the sound of a dial tone
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
When hearts hang on the line, and all that you fear has happened,
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
You laugh at the thought on the elevator down, you’re just a phone call away.
You’re placing a big, blind bet on the underdog
And though it’s a stretch, you believe
When you’re against the odds and on your feet
With you at your best, and promises kept,
She’d rather stay here with you
On the laziest afternoons with you.
Lost in Pacific time with the sound of a dial tone
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
You woke to the screech of the wheels on a runway
An ocean of praise on a stage,
The songs of your love fall to your knees.
With you at your best, this is all you’ve got left,
She’d rather stay here with you
On the laziest afternoons with you.
Lost in Pacific time with the sound of a dial tone
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
When hearts hang on the line and all that you fear has happened,
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
Was it something that she said, something that she did
To make you leave her here alone?
Was it something that you said, something that you did
To make her leave you here?
Don’t leave me here alone.
Lost in Pacific time with the sound of a dial tone
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
When hearts hang on the line, and all that you fear has happened,
Let the memories count the miles and never be forgotten.
Lyrics submitted by aristuma21, edited by wings4myway
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<3 love the part of "Let the memories count the miles And never be forgotten"
To me, this song feels like it's about William's other half and daughter - "She'd rather stay here with you on the laziest afternoons with you" - she's staying at home with her daughter, while William is away on tour etc - "Lost in Pacific Time with the sound of a dial tone" - telephone contact - "Was it something that you said something that you did to make you leave her here alone?" - this seems like he is almost talking to himself, I'm not sure.
Maybe I'm reading too far into it, but it's such a beautiful song.
it feels like the belief of lost hope, possible lost love- ultimately some sort of lost of potential "You're just a phone call away You're placing a big blind bet On the underdog And though it's a stretch You believe when you're against the odds"
it feels that they've lost something- the couple "To make you leave her here alone?" "To make her leave you here?"
i love how he twists these views, from the male to female and then himself
"Don't leave me here alone"