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.
My name is anything I want it to be
I'm striking chords in a way you've never seen
But I'm taking a long shot, I fought the fight and lost
I can't take it, I won't make it now.
I've given everything, I've let you take over me
I'm climbing mountains but drowning in the sea
And I admit it, I don't regret it
You've taken everything and left these broken wings
So here, I lay...
I never thought you would leave me here
A jaded mess full of hate and fear
I'm playing the victim but I only have myself to blame
I'll rename, restart this game
My name is anything that you want it to be.
Your games are endless but I can guarantee I'll be the last one to ever give this up
I'll take it all the way until I get my day but here, I lay...
I never thought you would leave me here
A jaded mess full of hate and fear
I'm playing the victim but I only have myself to blame
I'll rename, restart this game
I'm giving up this time
I can't take anymore of these confines
I've become something I'm not, a person who plays it safe, everything I hate
So here I'll lay, you finally got your way
I never thought you would leave me here
A jaded mess full of hate and fear
I play the victim I still only have myself to blame
End my reign, I'll fade away
My name I will not say, you have never heard of me
It keeps reminding me what I'll never be
I'm striking chords in a way you've never seen
But I'm taking a long shot, I fought the fight and lost
I can't take it, I won't make it now.
I've given everything, I've let you take over me
I'm climbing mountains but drowning in the sea
And I admit it, I don't regret it
You've taken everything and left these broken wings
So here, I lay...
I never thought you would leave me here
A jaded mess full of hate and fear
I'm playing the victim but I only have myself to blame
I'll rename, restart this game
My name is anything that you want it to be.
Your games are endless but I can guarantee I'll be the last one to ever give this up
I'll take it all the way until I get my day but here, I lay...
I never thought you would leave me here
A jaded mess full of hate and fear
I'm playing the victim but I only have myself to blame
I'll rename, restart this game
I'm giving up this time
I can't take anymore of these confines
I've become something I'm not, a person who plays it safe, everything I hate
So here I'll lay, you finally got your way
I never thought you would leave me here
A jaded mess full of hate and fear
I play the victim I still only have myself to blame
End my reign, I'll fade away
My name I will not say, you have never heard of me
It keeps reminding me what I'll never be
Lyrics submitted by Ojello
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