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.
So let's press undo.
Rearrange the old and call it new-
January white.
Every calendar is playing the same old trick:
A year will disappear, replaced with counterfeit
But we'll never really mind.
'cause if nothing else, we're given a little time
To change the game, a chance to redefine
Everything we are,
In our January white.
This year is a sealed envelope,
A culmination of hopes,
The lottery result that we've been crossing fingers for.
We could paint our walls a lighter shade of blue,
Or we could pack our bags and change the entire view
To January white.
If nothing else, we're given a little time
To change the heart in which we change our minds;
Our hourglasses turn.
This year is a sealed envelope;
With apprehensive hope
We brace for anything.
I swear, I understand that nothing changes that,
The past will be the past,
But the future is brighter than any flashback.
Well, we could let our guards down a little easier this time,
We could trust that when there's joy, there's nothing dark behind.
In spite of history,
Hope is January white.
This year, we're starting over again
Letter openers in hand,
A chance to take a chance.
I swear, I understand that the past will be the past,
And nothing changes that,
But the future is brighter than any flashback.
Rearrange the old and call it new-
January white.
Every calendar is playing the same old trick:
A year will disappear, replaced with counterfeit
But we'll never really mind.
'cause if nothing else, we're given a little time
To change the game, a chance to redefine
Everything we are,
In our January white.
This year is a sealed envelope,
A culmination of hopes,
The lottery result that we've been crossing fingers for.
We could paint our walls a lighter shade of blue,
Or we could pack our bags and change the entire view
To January white.
If nothing else, we're given a little time
To change the heart in which we change our minds;
Our hourglasses turn.
This year is a sealed envelope;
With apprehensive hope
We brace for anything.
I swear, I understand that nothing changes that,
The past will be the past,
But the future is brighter than any flashback.
Well, we could let our guards down a little easier this time,
We could trust that when there's joy, there's nothing dark behind.
In spite of history,
Hope is January white.
This year, we're starting over again
Letter openers in hand,
A chance to take a chance.
I swear, I understand that the past will be the past,
And nothing changes that,
But the future is brighter than any flashback.
Lyrics submitted by kaysow
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Perfect song. The start of a new year (the snow of January provides light and opitism). Hey, Darth, this is your song. In 60 days you'll be on top of your game and back to the same fun, free, exciting, ever-so-challenging and fulfilling youthful routine;)
Every winter does. But it only goes up from here. Pun intended.