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.
Like a gun shot from miles away she's moving in
Like a rain storm without the clouds, she falls on him
Like a phone call to warn the troop that never rings
It's the truth before the lies
It's the way she doesn't try
It's the wink before the slide
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
They met after work one day she laughed with him
They drove off their separate ways then met for drinks
When he got home the silent gift was deafening
It's the truth before the lies
It's the way she doesn't try
It's the wink before the slide
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
She thought that love was going to fight
She thought that love was going to take her home
She thought love was going to save her
But love just never showed
She thought love was always watching
All we learned that love was supposed to win,
But sometimes it's the demons,
That are standing in the end
He slips off his worn out suit and tries to rest
She's a million miles away across the bend
She rolls over and puts her hand across his chest
It's the truth before the lies
It's the way she doesn't try
It's the wink before the slide
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
Oh
Like a rain storm without the clouds, she falls on him
Like a phone call to warn the troop that never rings
It's the truth before the lies
It's the way she doesn't try
It's the wink before the slide
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
They met after work one day she laughed with him
They drove off their separate ways then met for drinks
When he got home the silent gift was deafening
It's the truth before the lies
It's the way she doesn't try
It's the wink before the slide
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
She thought that love was going to fight
She thought that love was going to take her home
She thought love was going to save her
But love just never showed
She thought love was always watching
All we learned that love was supposed to win,
But sometimes it's the demons,
That are standing in the end
He slips off his worn out suit and tries to rest
She's a million miles away across the bend
She rolls over and puts her hand across his chest
It's the truth before the lies
It's the way she doesn't try
It's the wink before the slide
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
In Philadelphia
Oh
Lyrics submitted by chelsadactyl, edited by musiclover1223, MusicConsumer
Philadelphia Lyrics as written by William Charles Anderson
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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This is such a beautiful song, but it's so sad. There's so much emotion in the music and so much meaning in the lyrics. I feel it's about infidelity. Does anyone else catch the "Philadelphia" sounds similar to infidelity? Anyways, going step by step with the lyrics, I feel there are subtle hints about a man cheating with another woman, while his partner at home thinks love will prevail, but it doesn't.
Like a gun shot from miles away she's moving in Like a rain storm without the clouds, she falls on him (Possibly this part of the lyrics means that the other woman [who signifies danger and something bad looming because "gun shot" and "rain storm"] is in the guy's sight. Possibly they're meeting and she entices him)
Like a phone call to warn the troop that never rings (I think this part means that he should have known she was temptation, but doesn't do anything to stop it or may not realize it)
It's the truth before the lies (He is acting with his heart, maybe his feelings were genuine for the other woman, but where does that leave him with his partner at home? Perhaps a secret and lies because he didn't think and instead acted with his feelings for the new girl)
It's the way she doesn't try (I feel this goes both ways for interpretation of both females. One is at home and maybe she doesn't put in the effort for the relationship. Or maybe the new one is just effortlessly enticing and she doesn't have to try to be.)
It's the wink before the slide (Wink? Symbolizes something flirty and sly? Before the guy slides into infidelity?)
In Philadelphia In Philadelphia (Infidelity?)
They met after work one day she laughed with him They drove off their separate ways then met for drinks When he got home the silent gift was deafening (He had a good time with the new woman, but soon feels guilty when he gets home.)
It's the truth before the lies It's the way she doesn't try It's the wink before the slide In Philadelphia In Philadelphia
She thought that love was going to fight She thought that love was going to take her home She thought love was going to save her But love just never showed (Here, I think the girlfriend believed that they were going to last and that love would prevail, but it doesn't)
She thought love was always watching All we learned that love was supposed to win, But sometimes it's the demons, That are standing in the end (So he cheated, his demons [temptations overcame him] overpowered love.)
He slips off his worn out suit and tries to rest She's a million miles away across the bend She rolls over and puts her hand across his chest (He's tired, gets into bed, but the girlfriend feels so distant even when she rolls over and puts her hand on his chest. Their relationship is slipping and they're growing further apart.)
It's the truth before the lies It's the way she doesn't try It's the wink before the slide In Philadelphia In Philadelphia In Philadelphia Oh (Again, I repeat infidelity. It sounds very similar to "in Philadelphia")