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.
I remember like yesterday
You had a dream in your eyes
And a smile on your face
And I'm missing those days again
Yeah I'm missing those days again
And I forgot what really got in the way
Maybe the sun it wouldn't shine
Should be taking the blame
'Cause its raining on me again
Yeah its raining on me again
A paradox
The key drops
A manifest
For what you lost was me
For my sake please
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
We're making a scene
And that's enough
Let's be honest
Your promise
Was never meant to last
I'm taking you on
I'm calling you out
There's nothing left
For us here now
Let's be honest
I promise
I'm never looking back
For my sake
For my sake
Tell my something that's poetic at best
Make me believe there was a time that you were like the rest
And I'll never ask you again
And I'll never ask you again
For all the moments in the memories
No one could ever say we never had a history
But I'm leaving that all behind
And there's nothing gonna change my mind
A paradox
The key drops
A manifest
For what you lost was me
For my sake please
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
We're making a scene
And that's enough
Let's be honest
Your promise
Was never meant to last
I'm taking you on
I'm calling you out
There's nothing left
For us here now
Let's be honest
I promise
I'm never looking back
For my sake
For my sake
A paradox
The key drops
A manifest
For what you lost was me
For my sake please
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
Stop slowing me down
And that's enough
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
We're making a scene
And that's enough
Let's be honest
Your promise
Was never meant to last
I'm taking you on
I'm calling you out
There's nothing left
For us here now
Let's be honest
I promise
I'm never looking back
For my sake
I'm never looking back
For my sake (for my sake)
For my sake
You had a dream in your eyes
And a smile on your face
And I'm missing those days again
Yeah I'm missing those days again
And I forgot what really got in the way
Maybe the sun it wouldn't shine
Should be taking the blame
'Cause its raining on me again
Yeah its raining on me again
A paradox
The key drops
A manifest
For what you lost was me
For my sake please
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
We're making a scene
And that's enough
Let's be honest
Your promise
Was never meant to last
I'm taking you on
I'm calling you out
There's nothing left
For us here now
Let's be honest
I promise
I'm never looking back
For my sake
For my sake
Tell my something that's poetic at best
Make me believe there was a time that you were like the rest
And I'll never ask you again
And I'll never ask you again
For all the moments in the memories
No one could ever say we never had a history
But I'm leaving that all behind
And there's nothing gonna change my mind
A paradox
The key drops
A manifest
For what you lost was me
For my sake please
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
We're making a scene
And that's enough
Let's be honest
Your promise
Was never meant to last
I'm taking you on
I'm calling you out
There's nothing left
For us here now
Let's be honest
I promise
I'm never looking back
For my sake
For my sake
A paradox
The key drops
A manifest
For what you lost was me
For my sake please
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
Stop slowing me down
And that's enough
Stop slowing me down
Stop holding me up
We're making a scene
And that's enough
Let's be honest
Your promise
Was never meant to last
I'm taking you on
I'm calling you out
There's nothing left
For us here now
Let's be honest
I promise
I'm never looking back
For my sake
I'm never looking back
For my sake (for my sake)
For my sake
Lyrics submitted by MusicFREAK20, edited by shinedownfan45, 3d1mandakng, gilbertyns
For My Sake Lyrics as written by Brent Smith Dave Bassett
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
"The key you dropped" not "The key drops"