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'm in reverse running
Doesn't mean anything
Hurling headlong
Why would you even ask
I forgot who I am
Snakes uncoiling
Pressed up to the glass
All things you shouldn't ask
But you see through me
It doesn't mean anything
A meaningless plaything
Reverse running
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I'm messing up
Messing up the balance
Breaking my trajectory
All the toys in the factory
While you all lie down
While you all lie down
I'm skipping back through the tapes.
Skipping through the ad breaks.
God in heaven
If it makes you feel energized
All hands are sanitized
And with such joy
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I jump back around
I'm reversing
I'm reverse running
Falling in the horses feet
All the feelings that you shouldn't see
Animal are burned
Animal are burned
Moving in slow motion
This shit is gonna mess me up
Doesn't mean anything
Hurling headlong
Why would you even ask
I forgot who I am
Snakes uncoiling
Pressed up to the glass
All things you shouldn't ask
But you see through me
It doesn't mean anything
A meaningless plaything
Reverse running
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I'm messing up
Messing up the balance
Breaking my trajectory
All the toys in the factory
While you all lie down
While you all lie down
I'm skipping back through the tapes.
Skipping through the ad breaks.
God in heaven
If it makes you feel energized
All hands are sanitized
And with such joy
Running contrary-ways
Pulling off the anyways
I jump back around
I'm reversing
I'm reverse running
Falling in the horses feet
All the feelings that you shouldn't see
Animal are burned
Animal are burned
Moving in slow motion
This shit is gonna mess me up
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by antihexe, CaliFortune, tkol88
Reverse Running Lyrics as written by Thomas Edward Yorke Michael Balzary
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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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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The snakes uncoiling represent the negative things in his life uncoiling and coming back to bite him as he travels back through those painful times.
"But you see through me" - shows no one can see him moving back through time.
"Running contrary ways Pulling off the anyways I'm messing up Messing up the patterns Breaking my trajectory"
Shows how he is moving backwards through time as everyone else is moving forwards. Then the interesting part comes at "messing up the patterns, breaking my trajectory". He is trying to slow down this movement back in time, messing up the causation by drifting into a new part of the timeline.
This is further reinforced when he says " I jump back around " he is reversing his reverse running to start moving forward. He is seeing things now that he shouldn't see because they didn't happen in his original timeline. He moves through life once again in a blur.
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Some of these lyrics are wrong. Somebody listen more closely and repost. The end of this song is awesome
So.. it's kind of like The Butterfly Effect .
Who is she "messing him up"?
@bo3m21 Ex-wife,Ex-girlfriend.. It really doesn't matter. It's more general I think. Right question is "Who is she, messing me up?"