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.
It is harder than you know
To draw water from a stone
I've been trying for years
Still there's nobody home
You pick my brain like I got something
Good to say about why we're here
It'll be years before I can answer
Remember that I
I never claimed to know the answers
I've just been searching for the good
Because at my best I'm a filthy sinner
And at my worst I'm misunderstood
It is harder than you know
To keep shouldering false hope
I cant carry your fears
I'm not the one you should ask here
You pick my brain like I got something
Good to say about "what's it mean to exist?"
But I can't say anything
Because I'm not existing yet
I never claimed to have the answers
I've just been searching for the good
Because At my best I'm a filthy sinner
And at my worst I'm misunderstood
I never claimed to have the answers
I have been searching for the good
Because at my best I'm a wayward sinning fool
So don't misunderstand me telling you
To not misunderstand misunderstood
To draw water from a stone
I've been trying for years
Still there's nobody home
You pick my brain like I got something
Good to say about why we're here
It'll be years before I can answer
Remember that I
I never claimed to know the answers
I've just been searching for the good
Because at my best I'm a filthy sinner
And at my worst I'm misunderstood
It is harder than you know
To keep shouldering false hope
I cant carry your fears
I'm not the one you should ask here
You pick my brain like I got something
Good to say about "what's it mean to exist?"
But I can't say anything
Because I'm not existing yet
I never claimed to have the answers
I've just been searching for the good
Because At my best I'm a filthy sinner
And at my worst I'm misunderstood
I never claimed to have the answers
I have been searching for the good
Because at my best I'm a wayward sinning fool
So don't misunderstand me telling you
To not misunderstand misunderstood
Lyrics submitted by Skoobasteve24
Misunderstood Lyrics as written by Matthew Macdonald
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC, TuneCore Inc., O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Great version of a great song,
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