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.
Under the water
It's cold and it's grey
My torrid autumn
Another season decays
Open up the hollow
And my walls come down
I tell you it's a problem
Just when no one's around
But then
I know what's wrong
God, you complicated everything
I know you're gone, gone, gone
This is where I will draw a line
I will draw my line.
Burning my cathedrals,
Cause I don't pray any more.
Look at all of these people, tragic little people,
They smile and then they don't know what for
But then
I know what's wrong
God, you complicated everything
I know you're gone, gone, gone
This is where I will blur my line
I will blur my line.
Our houses are haunted, dark and deserted
They're made of my secrets and shame
Maybe I want it I know I'm not worth it
I can't even sell you my name
But then
I know what's wrong
God, you complicated everything
I know you're wrong
God, you took it all away from me
I know you're gone, gone, gone
This is where I will cross my line
I am crossing my line.
It's cold and it's grey
My torrid autumn
Another season decays
Open up the hollow
And my walls come down
I tell you it's a problem
Just when no one's around
But then
I know what's wrong
God, you complicated everything
I know you're gone, gone, gone
This is where I will draw a line
I will draw my line.
Burning my cathedrals,
Cause I don't pray any more.
Look at all of these people, tragic little people,
They smile and then they don't know what for
But then
I know what's wrong
God, you complicated everything
I know you're gone, gone, gone
This is where I will blur my line
I will blur my line.
Our houses are haunted, dark and deserted
They're made of my secrets and shame
Maybe I want it I know I'm not worth it
I can't even sell you my name
But then
I know what's wrong
God, you complicated everything
I know you're wrong
God, you took it all away from me
I know you're gone, gone, gone
This is where I will cross my line
I am crossing my line.
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It seems like this person has realized the truth and it isn't nice or wonderful. With this realization, nothing seems right anymore. The truth has ruined him, it's the cause of his problems, he can't think simply anymore now that he figured out the truth. He pretends like he doesn't know, but breaks apart when he's alone. With the truth, he has no need for praying, nothing will make it better. He watches people who don't know the truth smiling without a care, not knowing what he knows, and he feels as if they're stupid for smiling when things are so wrong, when there is no reason for smiling. He then realizes that he's been lying and playing along too and that he's despicable. I think at the end he realized that he needs to stop pretending and stop going along with everything and actually do something about it. Reminds me of a person that is in a long depression and moping around for the longest time, then realization hits and they know what they have to do now.
@KuroMitsuki Great take Kuro. God does complicate everything. Not as a entity if one believes that sort of thing BUT especially as a metaphor. If god exists is organized religion what he would even want.
@KuroMitsuki but what about houses made from secrets and shame and then he crosses the line? I think he's just digging deeper still looking for blame outside, making mistakes inside.<br /> <br /> it's a piece of good poetry in that song, after years passed I started to appreciate Taylor's lyrics