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.
The day grows dark, becoming night
Fading faster than the light
And I don't care
(My mind is lost, looking for you)
The world moves on, I'm left behind
I'm feeling lost amongst the blind
It doesn't feel fair
(But I'm to blame for what I do)
If I say I'm missing you
That I now see what I never knew
I recall your frightened stare
(If I say I'm missing you)
I'm sorry my love blinded me
I was blind, but now I see!
(The fire's burnt out endlessly
The ashes falling around me)
Ashes to ashes (I'm sorry for hurting you)
Dust to dust (I should've known what to do)
I thought I could win you, but I crossed the line
I'm sorry for thinking you mine
But every moment spent with you
Convinced me that it was true
I was deceived by your eyes
(I know you didn't mean to)
I tried to show how good I'd
But became something other than me
Unknowingly I became lies
(Seems I was deceptive too)
I swear I never meant
To be the one that broke and spent
Our love to build this deadly disguise
(I'm sorry for hurting you)
My love became deceit
Your pain was my defeat
I hid my true self from your heart
The dust of death lies at my feet!
Ashes to ashes! (I'm sorry for hurting you)
Dust to dust! (I should've known what to do!)
I thought I could win you, but I crossed the line!
I'm sorry for thinking you mine!
But this is me, all but free
Not who I appeared to be
All the time God granted us
I ruined as I broke your trust!
Now you're gone and I'm too late
My final act had sealed our fate
If you're looking down at me
Here I am, what do you see?
Ashes to ashes! (I'm sorry for hurting you)
Dust to dust! (I should've known what to do!)
I thought I could win you, but I crossed the line!
I'm sorry for thinking you mine!
Ashes to ashes! (I'm sorry for failing us)
Dust to dust! (If only I trusted trust!)
I thought I would show you, but now I'm too late!
Now you're gone and all I have is fate
Fading faster than the light
And I don't care
(My mind is lost, looking for you)
The world moves on, I'm left behind
I'm feeling lost amongst the blind
It doesn't feel fair
(But I'm to blame for what I do)
If I say I'm missing you
That I now see what I never knew
I recall your frightened stare
(If I say I'm missing you)
I'm sorry my love blinded me
I was blind, but now I see!
(The fire's burnt out endlessly
The ashes falling around me)
Ashes to ashes (I'm sorry for hurting you)
Dust to dust (I should've known what to do)
I thought I could win you, but I crossed the line
I'm sorry for thinking you mine
But every moment spent with you
Convinced me that it was true
I was deceived by your eyes
(I know you didn't mean to)
I tried to show how good I'd
But became something other than me
Unknowingly I became lies
(Seems I was deceptive too)
I swear I never meant
To be the one that broke and spent
Our love to build this deadly disguise
(I'm sorry for hurting you)
My love became deceit
Your pain was my defeat
I hid my true self from your heart
The dust of death lies at my feet!
Ashes to ashes! (I'm sorry for hurting you)
Dust to dust! (I should've known what to do!)
I thought I could win you, but I crossed the line!
I'm sorry for thinking you mine!
But this is me, all but free
Not who I appeared to be
All the time God granted us
I ruined as I broke your trust!
Now you're gone and I'm too late
My final act had sealed our fate
If you're looking down at me
Here I am, what do you see?
Ashes to ashes! (I'm sorry for hurting you)
Dust to dust! (I should've known what to do!)
I thought I could win you, but I crossed the line!
I'm sorry for thinking you mine!
Ashes to ashes! (I'm sorry for failing us)
Dust to dust! (If only I trusted trust!)
I thought I would show you, but now I'm too late!
Now you're gone and all I have is fate
Lyrics submitted by Riddle
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