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.
They're calling you a genius
Is that why you're acting so competitive
And even if they mean it
Don't let the feeling get to your head
I really wanna call you
Better clean up the mess from the last time we met
The roof is gonna fall through
I'll stay out in the cold all alone instead
[Chorus]
If you think you can, reach out your hand
Like all is well and nothing changes
But I went through hell to watch you in outer-space
The wine is in the basement
So why can't I hide away and hibernate
I'm sleeping through the moment
And we're so afraid of getting worse with age
[Chorus]
I'm so careful, I got out of the way
I'm so grateful, just to be, just to be able to say
Won't you give me distance
Just one of the words you ṗut on my brain
And maybe then you'd listen
And I could get out of this one [?]
You see me waving my white flag
You see me waving my white flag
Won't you ever wanna take me there
Won't you ever wanna take me there
Is that why you're acting so competitive
And even if they mean it
Don't let the feeling get to your head
I really wanna call you
Better clean up the mess from the last time we met
The roof is gonna fall through
I'll stay out in the cold all alone instead
[Chorus]
If you think you can, reach out your hand
Like all is well and nothing changes
But I went through hell to watch you in outer-space
The wine is in the basement
So why can't I hide away and hibernate
I'm sleeping through the moment
And we're so afraid of getting worse with age
[Chorus]
I'm so careful, I got out of the way
I'm so grateful, just to be, just to be able to say
Won't you give me distance
Just one of the words you ṗut on my brain
And maybe then you'd listen
And I could get out of this one [?]
You see me waving my white flag
You see me waving my white flag
Won't you ever wanna take me there
Won't you ever wanna take me there
Lyrics submitted by MisterDangles, edited by tbarbz, ChipperSpiff
Loner Phase Lyrics as written by Matthew Aveiro Dann Gallucci
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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At the end it actually says "won't you ever wanna take me back", not "take me there". Personally, I think this song is about two people who once had a relationship years ago, then had a complicated fuzzy friendship that was superficial and fake after they parted ways. The so called "genius" of the story loved the other, and the other person was always fully aware of it, but never loved them back. The genius confessed it all to the other person, and the other person was over it, but still tried to keep on staying this sad fake friendly, simply for their own egotistical reasons. It felt good to have this person love them so much even though she/he would never love them back. This "genius" character has a huge ego, lets everything go to his or her head and has become a destroyed mean person from this love they will never get.It seems like he/she hurt the other at one point in time, and perhaps even again recently and that now the other lover who never will requite the love is re-eveluating the entire relationship. They are wondering if they ever even loved each other, or worse if they love each other more now and will never admit it. The genius does the classic human psychological thing in which you show exactly the opposite emotions you actually feel, in this case turning love into hatred.One of the most tragic flaws in human behavior. Now they both wonder if the other would take them back, the genius for his acts of disgust towards the only one he really loves, and the other wondering if he or she would ever take him/her back because of the acts of hatred towards her/him.
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