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.
We were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
He stepped into the night
With his heart open wide
I was standing there
With nowhere left to hide
He looked to me like a shadow
Moving in the night
Then he took a hold of my hand
In the soft moonlight
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
I could hear his heartbeat
Pounding in the night
I could feel his body
Starting to be kind
With his soft red lips
Made up my mind
His soothing kiss
Was all I desired
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
We kissed and touched
But it wasn't enough
To stop this wheel of fire
One step at a time
And I knew he was mine
We were lost in the heat of desire
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
No way
No way at all
To stop us moving closer
Each look in his eyes
Made my heart beat in time
Over and over and over and over
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
He stepped into the night
With his heart open wide
I was standing there
With nowhere left to hide
He looked to me like a shadow
Moving in the night
Then he took a hold of my hand
In the soft moonlight
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
I could hear his heartbeat
Pounding in the night
I could feel his body
Starting to be kind
With his soft red lips
Made up my mind
His soothing kiss
Was all I desired
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
We kissed and touched
But it wasn't enough
To stop this wheel of fire
One step at a time
And I knew he was mine
We were lost in the heat of desire
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
No way
No way at all
To stop us moving closer
Each look in his eyes
Made my heart beat in time
Over and over and over and over
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
And we were dancing
Dancing in the dark
Sweet romancing
Something's gonna start
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Dancing in the Dark Lyrics as written by Nicky Chinn Paul Anthony Gurvitz
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.