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 used to be straight-edge, but now I’m a drunk.
The Xs on my hands washed off in the flood.
I pissed away everything. I pissed off all who cared.
I drank myself convinced they were never there.
That’s right.
I used to write poetry, but now my intellect has failed.
My once extensive vocabulary is now the casualty of damaged brain cells.
But be that as it may, I say blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...
I once composed music so beautifully,
but now my actions disprove my worth in anything.
So I’ll cry myself awake thinking might as well.
®ret and NOremembering do not mix well,
so I’ll sing myself to sleep in my happy hell mind,
keeping perfect time singing "la la la" songs.
Screaming "la la la" screams.
Dreaming "la la la" dreams.
Singing "la la la" to myself.
The Xs on my hands washed off in the flood.
I pissed away everything. I pissed off all who cared.
I drank myself convinced they were never there.
That’s right.
I used to write poetry, but now my intellect has failed.
My once extensive vocabulary is now the casualty of damaged brain cells.
But be that as it may, I say blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...
I once composed music so beautifully,
but now my actions disprove my worth in anything.
So I’ll cry myself awake thinking might as well.
®ret and NOremembering do not mix well,
so I’ll sing myself to sleep in my happy hell mind,
keeping perfect time singing "la la la" songs.
Screaming "la la la" screams.
Dreaming "la la la" dreams.
Singing "la la la" to myself.
Lyrics submitted by headphones on
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.