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.
Let me guide you through the story of a boy and his curse
Tiny diamond in his stroller with his first step chasing the hearse
Sippin' at a cup that's half way filled
But looking forward to the day he pays that drinking bill
There's no peace, there's no quiet on this earth
He confided, nestled tightly in that womb beneath the dirt
Hurt no more and when he turned 24
He wrote a note to nail to God's front door that said
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
From the high paying job and the love of his life
He rode a roller coaster ride of lust on their wedding night
They made a baby in unmentionable ways
He was ungrateful as a man could be on that blessed day
And underneath he thought this is all a phase
Just a blip in the existence of a structure vast and great
Pray each night to his cross of a charm
For the one thing he couldn't afford just to buy the farm
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
I'll never lose another friend again
Or watch them start a war that's fought for ideals that are dead
I'll never have an argument again
Because my dust
Will be your salt
My blood will hydrate you off
My heart will be your meal
And I won't ride the cycle of the way it kills to think and feel
No more, no
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
One sweet day his heart ceased to beat
He fell so fast beneath all our feet
Through bugs and snakes
Last words he had to say were
Help me claw my way to the surface
Oh sweet lord you know I deserve this
Just one more, just one more birthday
Tiny diamond in his stroller with his first step chasing the hearse
Sippin' at a cup that's half way filled
But looking forward to the day he pays that drinking bill
There's no peace, there's no quiet on this earth
He confided, nestled tightly in that womb beneath the dirt
Hurt no more and when he turned 24
He wrote a note to nail to God's front door that said
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
From the high paying job and the love of his life
He rode a roller coaster ride of lust on their wedding night
They made a baby in unmentionable ways
He was ungrateful as a man could be on that blessed day
And underneath he thought this is all a phase
Just a blip in the existence of a structure vast and great
Pray each night to his cross of a charm
For the one thing he couldn't afford just to buy the farm
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
I'll never lose another friend again
Or watch them start a war that's fought for ideals that are dead
I'll never have an argument again
Because my dust
Will be your salt
My blood will hydrate you off
My heart will be your meal
And I won't ride the cycle of the way it kills to think and feel
No more, no
I want death
Death for my birthday
I want death
Death in the worst way
I want death
Death for my birthday
Don't get me wrong cause..
I love life
But life has a boyfriend
Bless my soul
I'm out to destroy them
I want death
Death for my birthday
For my birthday
One sweet day his heart ceased to beat
He fell so fast beneath all our feet
Through bugs and snakes
Last words he had to say were
Help me claw my way to the surface
Oh sweet lord you know I deserve this
Just one more, just one more birthday
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
this is song is one of the best on the album.
"Because my dust will be your salt. My blood will hydrate you all. My heart will be your meal."
I think this shows how he does care about the people in his life. It's a metaphor that he would die for them, even though in the song he's hiding behind the mask that he want's to die.
Max's lyrics are really amazing. Cant wait to see them in San Diego. 10 days!=]