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 takes a lifetime
To learn how to love
It starts with a flicker
That bursts into flames
Then it fades to an ember
With fights and with fingers pointing out blame
Oh to exercise the next
Of falling in love with you
Over and over and over
Let's close off our escape routes
Let's not put it off tonight
Let's close off our escape routes
We can have it all tonight
It takes a lifetime to learn how to love
Most of the time I'm taking too much in my turn
But I yearn for your closeness and gentle return
Oh to exercise the end
Falling in love with you
Over and over and over
Over, over, and over
Over, over, over, over
My arms snake around yours
Your lips open
Explore
These promises we have saved
They hold us
They hold and maintain
Let's close off our escape routes
Let's not put it off tonight
Let's close off our escape routes
We can have it all tonight
We can have it all tonight
We can have it all
We can have it all tonight
To learn how to love
It starts with a flicker
That bursts into flames
Then it fades to an ember
With fights and with fingers pointing out blame
Oh to exercise the next
Of falling in love with you
Over and over and over
Let's close off our escape routes
Let's not put it off tonight
Let's close off our escape routes
We can have it all tonight
It takes a lifetime to learn how to love
Most of the time I'm taking too much in my turn
But I yearn for your closeness and gentle return
Oh to exercise the end
Falling in love with you
Over and over and over
Over, over, and over
Over, over, over, over
My arms snake around yours
Your lips open
Explore
These promises we have saved
They hold us
They hold and maintain
Let's close off our escape routes
Let's not put it off tonight
Let's close off our escape routes
We can have it all tonight
We can have it all tonight
We can have it all
We can have it all tonight
Lyrics submitted by avataraera
Escape Routes Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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correction, I think it's "Oh, to exercise the act of / Falling in love with you"
This is such a beautiful song. The first line, "It takes a lifetime to learn how to love" is so beautiful. Shara says she "stole" this line, but I think this whole song is a complete work of genius.