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.
This is the way it was
While I was waiting for your eyes to find me
I was drifting, going no place
Hypnotized by sunshine maybe
Barking back at seagulls along the beach
Skipping flat stones on the water,
But much too wise for sandcastles
My castles were across the sea
Still within my mind
There were the beach bars
and the other beach people
Sometimes little bedrooms were my beach
But I was drifting.
I must have thought the night could save me
As I went down in the pillows,
Looked up through dirty windows,
Smiled back through broken mattresses,
and kissed in elevators.
I cry too sometimes for me I guess
I loved every face I thought looked pretty
and every kindred eye I caught in crowds.
But I was drifting
Before you.
While I was waiting for your eyes to find me
I was drifting, going no place
Hypnotized by sunshine maybe
Barking back at seagulls along the beach
Skipping flat stones on the water,
But much too wise for sandcastles
My castles were across the sea
Still within my mind
There were the beach bars
and the other beach people
Sometimes little bedrooms were my beach
But I was drifting.
I must have thought the night could save me
As I went down in the pillows,
Looked up through dirty windows,
Smiled back through broken mattresses,
and kissed in elevators.
I cry too sometimes for me I guess
I loved every face I thought looked pretty
and every kindred eye I caught in crowds.
But I was drifting
Before you.
Lyrics submitted by getyourselftogether
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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.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
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