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.
How far would you go to satisfy?
Everything that you long for
And you wanted so bad
It seemed to take over you world
Nothing in this life is ever free
You've heard a billion times
Still there's a gap haunting you
Questioning the air you breath
Questioning the truth
To find substance
To find a truth
Something absolute in a stone cold world
I guess it's easier said than done
But there's a life that goes beyond
Now all I can do is share
What I have with you
Every time you walk away
Every time I'll be the same
That's a choice to respect
That's a choice I accept
But I'll still be here
I'll always be here
I'll always...
Everything that you long for
And you wanted so bad
It seemed to take over you world
Nothing in this life is ever free
You've heard a billion times
Still there's a gap haunting you
Questioning the air you breath
Questioning the truth
To find substance
To find a truth
Something absolute in a stone cold world
I guess it's easier said than done
But there's a life that goes beyond
Now all I can do is share
What I have with you
Every time you walk away
Every time I'll be the same
That's a choice to respect
That's a choice I accept
But I'll still be here
I'll always be here
I'll always...
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Give and Take Lyrics as written by Jimmy Cliff
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.