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.
And I feel like I knew you before
And I guess that you can hear me through this song
And my love will never die
And my feelings will always shine
(x2)
And I know that you just wanted me to belong to someone
And I guess that now I'll just be moving on to someone
And my love will never die
And my feelings will always shine
(x2)
I never betrayed your trust
I never betrayed your faith
I'll never forsake your heart
I'll never forget your face
There's a feeling that I can't describe
There's a reason that I cannot hide
I've never seen a light that's so bright
The light that shine behind your eyes
I never betrayed your trust
I never betrayed your faith
I'll never forsake your heart
I'll never forget your face
There's a feeling that I can't describe,
a reason that I cannot hide
I've never seen a light that's so bright
The light that shines behind your eyes
I can see
this life and what you mean to me
And when I dreamed,
I dreamed of you
Then I wake
Tell me what can I do?
I had to let you go to the setting sun
I had to let you go and find a way back home
(x2)
And I guess that you can hear me through this song
And my love will never die
And my feelings will always shine
(x2)
And I know that you just wanted me to belong to someone
And I guess that now I'll just be moving on to someone
And my love will never die
And my feelings will always shine
(x2)
I never betrayed your trust
I never betrayed your faith
I'll never forsake your heart
I'll never forget your face
There's a feeling that I can't describe
There's a reason that I cannot hide
I've never seen a light that's so bright
The light that shine behind your eyes
I never betrayed your trust
I never betrayed your faith
I'll never forsake your heart
I'll never forget your face
There's a feeling that I can't describe,
a reason that I cannot hide
I've never seen a light that's so bright
The light that shines behind your eyes
I can see
this life and what you mean to me
And when I dreamed,
I dreamed of you
Then I wake
Tell me what can I do?
I had to let you go to the setting sun
I had to let you go and find a way back home
(x2)
Lyrics submitted by Opethfanatic89, edited by Octavarium64
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
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I like that this song remains vague, because when push comes to shove, it is merely the best representation of the pain of letting somebody go. Somebody, a lover likely, who you know your time has ended with. Maybe she betrayed, maybe things just weren't working out, or maybe he knows he has to move on for whatever reason, but... god, he loved her. He still loves her. But he has to let her go. And this song is the best attempt I've ever heard at converting that pain into sound.
This song is probably a confession of love to someone who had passed away, but it haves another meaning for me too.
I have met a girl with whom I fell in love at an instance. We were getting along as if we knew each other long before. Unfortunately she was already in a relationship, so I tried to give up on her, but it was futile. We were hanging around, while her boyfriend was studing in another city. Because of a misunderstanding I confessed my feelings and she responded that it could work out, if she was single, but she isn't. She even told me that she had considered what it would be like if we were together, but according to her it would be a huge fire which will die out fast.
So I have to move along, but still it was the best time of my live. And this song gives an impression of the feelings that are pretty much similiar to those that I have right now.
It has to be about someone who has died because otherwise it would make NO SENSE. It would be irrational.
I guess women like to pretend they're happy with ordinary men who aren't in love with them. They prefer relationships safe and secure while in the bottom of their hearts they'd die for a passionate true lover who'd die for them; they usually hurt the feelings of that man and pretend they don't want to be with him. I think that chiefly depends on the man rather than the woman. Well, i mean we don't have to let go. Letting go means no Untouchable by Anathema; if he has really let it go, then why bother writing a song about it?!
Unbelieveable lyrics. The entire song is positive until the last stanza. It makes no sense, but then again emotions like love and fear don't either.
I believe that Daniel wrote this lyrics after metting his daughter. Then he had to let her go with her mother. Now she is untouchable.
His loved one has passed away, and he has to move on. He will, but he will never forget his loved one, and will keep loving this person.
Absolutely Brilliant song, can anyone tell me why is it named "Untouchable" though?
I think the word "Untouchable" represents perfectly his (the narrator's) love and feelings for her - no one or anything can ever change the bond he once had on her and thus it's "untouchable" :)
I think once again Anathema made a album that is all a only song... a only story. I think weather Systems is all about life, love and death... Is about been in love and in a way you know that you are dying.. So if you follow this line the first song .. Untouchable Part 1. Is about love some one.. love too much. is your dream your real love.... in the goods and bad moments... and realize that you are close to death.. then.. let that person go..
and the go to the second song...
Yikes. I just want to listen to this song at least once without sobbing.
Just think the songs is about their mom as so many of their great songs