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.
Well I listen to the radio
And it's all buzzin' in my head
It is the worst crap I ever heard
But it's on
And I keep watching all the TV shows
But I don't like what I see
It ain't nothing like it used to be
But it's on
'Cause I'm just like you and everyone else
On a carpet-ride going straight to hell
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
You take a ride in your super-car
You're going real fast
Your turn your gold into gasoline
And it's gone
'Cause you are just like me and everyone else
On a carpet ride going straight to hell
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Oh yeah
Ah walking down the line
Ah walking down the line
Ah walking down the line
Now we're playing on your stereo
It's your favorite song
It's the best shit you've ever heard
And it's on
("'Cause you are just like us and everyone else")
You are just like us and anyone else
("'Cause you are just like us and everyone else")
You are just like us and everyone else
yeah
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
And it's all buzzin' in my head
It is the worst crap I ever heard
But it's on
And I keep watching all the TV shows
But I don't like what I see
It ain't nothing like it used to be
But it's on
'Cause I'm just like you and everyone else
On a carpet-ride going straight to hell
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
You take a ride in your super-car
You're going real fast
Your turn your gold into gasoline
And it's gone
'Cause you are just like me and everyone else
On a carpet ride going straight to hell
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Oh yeah
Ah walking down the line
Ah walking down the line
Ah walking down the line
Now we're playing on your stereo
It's your favorite song
It's the best shit you've ever heard
And it's on
("'Cause you are just like us and everyone else")
You are just like us and anyone else
("'Cause you are just like us and everyone else")
You are just like us and everyone else
yeah
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Walking down the line, walking down the line
Lyrics submitted by sepultura1987
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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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Great version of a great song,
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