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.
Standing outside your door
I look crazy to the world
I have been to this place before
The right guy for the wrong girl
I wish I could awaken from a dream
That I just don't wanna believe
That I'm sitting here waiting for you
And I know you're walking away from me
I don't wanna say the words
That everyone seems to know
I put you in every room with me
Right where I go
I wish I could awaken from a dream
That I just don't wanna believe
That I gave a beautiful freak like you
Power and control all over me
Please don't leave me
Please don't go
I don't wanna be alone
Wishing don't count for much
when I think of what is gone
I refused to believe in luck
Now when it comes to my luck
I wish I could awaken from a dream
That I just don't wanna believe
That all the bad things I've done in my life
Are coming back to torture me
Please don't leave me
Baby please don't go
I don't wanna be alone
Please don't leave me
Baby please don't go
I don't know how to be alone
You walked into my life
Like you walk into a crowd
I just don't know how you obsessed on me
I wish that I could see what you saw in me
All the things you said that you liked so much
Are now the things you say you hate
Now all I wanna do is start over again
Now all I wanna to do is try to make you wanna stay
I'm sorry to sound so lame
But you're leaving way too late
Just tell me what I need to say
That will make you wanna stay
Please don't leave me
Please don't go
Please don't go
Please don't tell me
That it is time for you to go
Please don't leave me
Please don't go
Please don't go
Please don't tell me
That it is time for you to go
I don't know how to be alone
I don't know how to be alone
I don't know how to be alone
Please don't be cruel
Please don't do to me
The horrible things that I did to you
I look crazy to the world
I have been to this place before
The right guy for the wrong girl
I wish I could awaken from a dream
That I just don't wanna believe
That I'm sitting here waiting for you
And I know you're walking away from me
I don't wanna say the words
That everyone seems to know
I put you in every room with me
Right where I go
I wish I could awaken from a dream
That I just don't wanna believe
That I gave a beautiful freak like you
Power and control all over me
Please don't leave me
Please don't go
I don't wanna be alone
Wishing don't count for much
when I think of what is gone
I refused to believe in luck
Now when it comes to my luck
I wish I could awaken from a dream
That I just don't wanna believe
That all the bad things I've done in my life
Are coming back to torture me
Please don't leave me
Baby please don't go
I don't wanna be alone
Please don't leave me
Baby please don't go
I don't know how to be alone
You walked into my life
Like you walk into a crowd
I just don't know how you obsessed on me
I wish that I could see what you saw in me
All the things you said that you liked so much
Are now the things you say you hate
Now all I wanna do is start over again
Now all I wanna to do is try to make you wanna stay
I'm sorry to sound so lame
But you're leaving way too late
Just tell me what I need to say
That will make you wanna stay
Please don't leave me
Please don't go
Please don't go
Please don't tell me
That it is time for you to go
Please don't leave me
Please don't go
Please don't go
Please don't tell me
That it is time for you to go
I don't know how to be alone
I don't know how to be alone
I don't know how to be alone
Please don't be cruel
Please don't do to me
The horrible things that I did to you
Lyrics submitted by Chillin
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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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