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.
It's like the day has turned to rust
Like every dream's been sealed shut
Like every door is closed before we've gotten out
As bullets rip the air in two from house to house
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
I see the crowds they're giving way
For some, they're better off that day
The bombs blew off the shells
Their glowing red at burst
The less there is to feel each night upon the Earth
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
Like every dream's been sealed shut
Like every door is closed before we've gotten out
As bullets rip the air in two from house to house
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
I see the crowds they're giving way
For some, they're better off that day
The bombs blew off the shells
Their glowing red at burst
The less there is to feel each night upon the Earth
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
We are all that we are, so terribly sorry
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
The moon you've felt, it has no side
That's dark like hell, or safe from light
Just blown apart, by wind from stars
With white dust tides, to pull on ours
Lyrics submitted by WorldOfLove
The Moon Atomic (...Fragments and Fictions) Lyrics as written by Tom Delonge Adam Willard
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Great song. Period. Very powerful. Just like the rest of the album