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.
She is young, and oh so pretty
With a twinkle in her eye
And just the kind of features
To make a young man sigh
She is sweet and she is sunny
Just like a morn in May
She's just the kind of creature
Who could steal your heart away
But,
She's not the one that's meant for me
The one that heaven-sent for me
I know, although I haven't found her yet
She's not the one, she's not the one
She's not the one that I'll care for
The one I'll always be there for
Don't ask the why or the wherefore
I know, she's not the one
Can her smile light up the morning?
Can her laughter life the night?
Can she hold you when you're troubled
And make everything alright?
Can she fill each waking moment?
Who knows, perhaps she can
And yes, I realize
She'd be a prize for any man
But,
She's not the one that's meant for me
The one that heaven-sent for me
I know, although I haven't found her yet
She's not the one, she's not the one
She's not the one that I'll care for
The one I'll always be there for
With a twinkle in her eye
And just the kind of features
To make a young man sigh
She is sweet and she is sunny
Just like a morn in May
She's just the kind of creature
Who could steal your heart away
But,
She's not the one that's meant for me
The one that heaven-sent for me
I know, although I haven't found her yet
She's not the one, she's not the one
She's not the one that I'll care for
The one I'll always be there for
Don't ask the why or the wherefore
I know, she's not the one
Can her smile light up the morning?
Can her laughter life the night?
Can she hold you when you're troubled
And make everything alright?
Can she fill each waking moment?
Who knows, perhaps she can
And yes, I realize
She'd be a prize for any man
But,
She's not the one that's meant for me
The one that heaven-sent for me
I know, although I haven't found her yet
She's not the one, she's not the one
She's not the one that I'll care for
The one I'll always be there for
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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,
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.