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.
Twisting the grip of the beast you've created
Alive in the seconds that you burn away
You taste the fear and you're feeling the danger
Danger inside that you know is the spice of your life
25 years you have dreamt of a moment
A moment that puts you in this place on earth
Heroes make legends on this holy ground
To race against legends you traveled halfway round the world
Your face in the wind
You give this offering
To the god of speed
This is what you need
To live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You're living your life
You live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You live your life in the wind
All of your life you thought that you'd do something
Do something big and not just fade away
You are too old, your machine is outdated
You won't let that stop you following through on your dream
Your face in the wind
You give this offering
To the god of speed
This is what you need
To live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You're living your life
You live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You live your life in the wind
Living each day like it could be your last
You regret nothing, it's all in the past
You just don't know if tomorrow will come
So everything you want to do you get done
You make no excuse or try to justify
Anything that you have done in your life
Living more in five minutes when you ride
Than some people do in the whole of their life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You're living your life
You live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You live your life in the wind
Alive in the seconds that you burn away
You taste the fear and you're feeling the danger
Danger inside that you know is the spice of your life
25 years you have dreamt of a moment
A moment that puts you in this place on earth
Heroes make legends on this holy ground
To race against legends you traveled halfway round the world
Your face in the wind
You give this offering
To the god of speed
This is what you need
To live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You're living your life
You live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You live your life in the wind
All of your life you thought that you'd do something
Do something big and not just fade away
You are too old, your machine is outdated
You won't let that stop you following through on your dream
Your face in the wind
You give this offering
To the god of speed
This is what you need
To live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You're living your life
You live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You live your life in the wind
Living each day like it could be your last
You regret nothing, it's all in the past
You just don't know if tomorrow will come
So everything you want to do you get done
You make no excuse or try to justify
Anything that you have done in your life
Living more in five minutes when you ride
Than some people do in the whole of their life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You're living your life
You live your life
Living your lifetime
When you ride
You live your life in the wind
Lyrics submitted by Grind838
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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.
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