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.
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
Lay me on the ground
Or fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Love is in the water
Love is in the air
Show me where to look
Tell me will love be there?
Will love be there?
Teach me how to speak
Teach me how to share
Teach me where to go
Tell me will love be there?
Will love be there?
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
Lay me on the ground
Or fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
I'm gonna let it shine
I'm gonna let it shine
Heaven send a light, let it shine on me
Hey yeah
Hey yeah
Heaven send a light, let it shine on me
(Shine)
Shine on me
(Shine)
Well come on and shine
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
Lay me on the ground
Or fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Love is in the water
Love is in the air
Show me where to look
Tell me will love be there?
Will love be there?
Teach me how to speak
Teach me how to share
Teach me where to go
Tell me will love be there?
Will love be there?
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
Lay me on the ground
Or fly me in the sky
Show me where to look
Tell me what will I find?
What will I find?
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
(Yeah)
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
Whoa, Heaven let your light shine down
I'm gonna let it shine
I'm gonna let it shine
Heaven send a light, let it shine on me
Hey yeah
Hey yeah
Heaven send a light, let it shine on me
(Shine)
Shine on me
(Shine)
Well come on and shine
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
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
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.