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.
Feathered, tethered
Feels like all the worlds a cage
Worked up, run down
In this race to earn a wage
Something inside
Tells me I was made to
Split the sky
So tell me why I'm
Chorus:
Living like a hummingbird
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Dead lines, this grind
Got me beating against the wind
Want more from life
Than just spinning around and getting by
Not satisfied just
Living like a hummingbird
(hungry for the blue)
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
(stuck inside this view)
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
(I'm standing still for you)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Save me from this discontenting
Never ending, spirit bending
Pattern, I go round and round and
Round and round and round again
Yea I'm stuck inside this circle I just
Know there's better out there because
I can feel it in my wings, so I sing
I'm a hummingbird
(hungry for the blue)
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
(stuck inside this view)
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
(I'm standing still for you)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
(hungry for the blue)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird, hummingbird, yeah
Feels like all the worlds a cage
Worked up, run down
In this race to earn a wage
Something inside
Tells me I was made to
Split the sky
So tell me why I'm
Chorus:
Living like a hummingbird
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Dead lines, this grind
Got me beating against the wind
Want more from life
Than just spinning around and getting by
Not satisfied just
Living like a hummingbird
(hungry for the blue)
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
(stuck inside this view)
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
(I'm standing still for you)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
Save me from this discontenting
Never ending, spirit bending
Pattern, I go round and round and
Round and round and round again
Yea I'm stuck inside this circle I just
Know there's better out there because
I can feel it in my wings, so I sing
I'm a hummingbird
(hungry for the blue)
Getting nowhere fast from all my work
(stuck inside this view)
If you've got one eye on the sparrow, Lord
(I'm standing still for you)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
(hungry for the blue)
Could you spare one for the hummingbird?
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird
(Save the hummingbird)
Save the hummingbird, hummingbird, yeah
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Hummingbird Lyrics as written by Shaun Groves
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.