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.
Here it is again;
It sounds so sweet
The way it's written,
That funky beat
I'm shining bright again,
Or so it seems
Just cause this river's wild
Don't mean it ain't deep
And being me's like being
Flowers on fire
Or the cat trapped in the dryer
I say "Call me a martyr",
But they just say liar
The ocean of emotion
And devotion and desire
Like fields of dreams
On the funeral pyre
Yeah
Red dress at a lover's grave
I'm bittersweet
Pretty face with a wicked smile
A wolf amidst the sheep
Halo framed by devil's horns
A pipebomb in the mail
You can't stand up against me,
And if you don't, I'll fail
Flowers on fire
Or the cat trapped in the dryer
I say "Call me a martyr",
But they just say liar
The ocean of emotion
And devotion and desire
Like fields of dreams
On the funeral pyre
Like
Flowers on fire
Or the cat trapped in the dryer
I say "Call me a martyr",
But they just say liar
The emotion of the ocean and
Devotion and desire
Like fields of dreams
On the funeral pyre
Yeah
It sounds so sweet
The way it's written,
That funky beat
I'm shining bright again,
Or so it seems
Just cause this river's wild
Don't mean it ain't deep
And being me's like being
Flowers on fire
Or the cat trapped in the dryer
I say "Call me a martyr",
But they just say liar
The ocean of emotion
And devotion and desire
Like fields of dreams
On the funeral pyre
Yeah
Red dress at a lover's grave
I'm bittersweet
Pretty face with a wicked smile
A wolf amidst the sheep
Halo framed by devil's horns
A pipebomb in the mail
You can't stand up against me,
And if you don't, I'll fail
Flowers on fire
Or the cat trapped in the dryer
I say "Call me a martyr",
But they just say liar
The ocean of emotion
And devotion and desire
Like fields of dreams
On the funeral pyre
Like
Flowers on fire
Or the cat trapped in the dryer
I say "Call me a martyr",
But they just say liar
The emotion of the ocean and
Devotion and desire
Like fields of dreams
On the funeral pyre
Yeah
Lyrics submitted by a_melancholy_soul
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