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.
I'm on a highway
I take a mental picture
Of the place I want.
Now it's living in me.
On a highway
Thinking of the one who
I left alone and hoping
I don't know how I'm coping
On a highway
I let the bad things taunt
Or do they want to haunt me?
I do not know how they find me
On a highway
I watch the singing driver
On the speaker phone ?
He mouths the words he should sing
On a highway
Some pretty lilly passenger
Her toes against the window
What happened to the tunes then
On a highway
I know they are not moving
Moved by conversation
I'll pretend I know what they say
On a highway
Can't sit around expending
I work against the window
That's great you called ?
On a highway
The woman calls me lucky
For all the places I stay
Its hard for me not say
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Oh
On a highway
Hypnotized by sun strokes
Passing by some dead bones
Flowers for the dead grow
On a highway
There are some workers pissing
Its starts my bladder itching
Can I wait for the exit?
On a highway
The leaves are green forever
I let some hash relax me
Get lost in human pleasure
On a highway
I'm sick from too much reading
Jealous of Noah's dreaming
Can't help my brain from thinking
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Oh
I take a mental picture
Of the place I want.
Now it's living in me.
On a highway
Thinking of the one who
I left alone and hoping
I don't know how I'm coping
On a highway
I let the bad things taunt
Or do they want to haunt me?
I do not know how they find me
On a highway
I watch the singing driver
On the speaker phone ?
He mouths the words he should sing
On a highway
Some pretty lilly passenger
Her toes against the window
What happened to the tunes then
On a highway
I know they are not moving
Moved by conversation
I'll pretend I know what they say
On a highway
Can't sit around expending
I work against the window
That's great you called ?
On a highway
The woman calls me lucky
For all the places I stay
Its hard for me not say
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Oh
On a highway
Hypnotized by sun strokes
Passing by some dead bones
Flowers for the dead grow
On a highway
There are some workers pissing
Its starts my bladder itching
Can I wait for the exit?
On a highway
The leaves are green forever
I let some hash relax me
Get lost in human pleasure
On a highway
I'm sick from too much reading
Jealous of Noah's dreaming
Can't help my brain from thinking
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Ah can't breath
Oh
Lyrics submitted by silentprophet, edited by highwaystrip
On a Highway Lyrics as written by David Portner Brian Weitz
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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