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.
[Verse 1:]
I was sittin' down in Hong Kong in a bar
Picking and a singing my way west with my guitar
I talked to some old sailor just to pass away the time
And he said something that stuck in my mind
[Chorus:]
He said the story of your life is in your face
It's written there in little subtle lines
The story of your life is in your face
What's written on your face has been heavy on your mind
[Verse 2:]
He touched my face with his hands old and frail
They were scared and weather beaten by the oceans he had sailed
He said it's written in your face the times that you've been hurt
And he said mighty is the power of the skirt
[Chorus:]
And he said the story of your life is in your face
It's written there in little subtle lines
The story of your life is in your face
What's written on your face has been heavy on your mind
[Verse 3:]
He said the lines say you're a travelin' man
I said that ain't no revelation seein' where I am
He said in this ole world our paths may never cross again
Just remember what I'm tellin' you my friend
[Chorus]
[Verse 4:]
There are some things we cannot seem to hide
We sometimes lie about them cause it satisfies our pride
There are some things we can't escape no matter how we try
'Cause it's written in our face and in our eyes
[Chorus][x2]
I was sittin' down in Hong Kong in a bar
Picking and a singing my way west with my guitar
I talked to some old sailor just to pass away the time
And he said something that stuck in my mind
[Chorus:]
He said the story of your life is in your face
It's written there in little subtle lines
The story of your life is in your face
What's written on your face has been heavy on your mind
[Verse 2:]
He touched my face with his hands old and frail
They were scared and weather beaten by the oceans he had sailed
He said it's written in your face the times that you've been hurt
And he said mighty is the power of the skirt
[Chorus:]
And he said the story of your life is in your face
It's written there in little subtle lines
The story of your life is in your face
What's written on your face has been heavy on your mind
[Verse 3:]
He said the lines say you're a travelin' man
I said that ain't no revelation seein' where I am
He said in this ole world our paths may never cross again
Just remember what I'm tellin' you my friend
[Chorus]
[Verse 4:]
There are some things we cannot seem to hide
We sometimes lie about them cause it satisfies our pride
There are some things we can't escape no matter how we try
'Cause it's written in our face and in our eyes
[Chorus][x2]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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