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.
Northwest is where I'm headed,
Underneath the golden sky
I'm searching for a wisdom
That every man seeks to find
I've got wicked thoughts a brewin'
Many even deeds I've done
I'm looking for a reason
For a reason not to run
[Chorus: x2]
I've always been dark
With light somewhere in the distance
I've got no destination
No place to call my own
I'll explore the constellations
Till I find the course I mean to hone
But come fever or come famine
Come the biting winter cold
Just put two coins upon my eyelids
So I can pay the poor man's toll
[Chorus: x2]
I've always been dark
With light somewhere in the distance
I've been so unforgiving
Stranded in old traditions
[Chorus: x2]
I've always been dark
With light somewhere in the distance
Underneath the golden sky
I'm searching for a wisdom
That every man seeks to find
I've got wicked thoughts a brewin'
Many even deeds I've done
I'm looking for a reason
For a reason not to run
[Chorus: x2]
I've always been dark
With light somewhere in the distance
I've got no destination
No place to call my own
I'll explore the constellations
Till I find the course I mean to hone
But come fever or come famine
Come the biting winter cold
Just put two coins upon my eyelids
So I can pay the poor man's toll
[Chorus: x2]
I've always been dark
With light somewhere in the distance
I've been so unforgiving
Stranded in old traditions
[Chorus: x2]
I've always been dark
With light somewhere in the distance
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
I love they way this man writes,
North west is where I'm heading, Underneath the golden sky.
it's so deep and it has so much meaning, NorthWest he is always going to head back to Canada... Known for the Northern Lights
I'm searching for wisdom That every man seeks to find..........Every man wants to know they are doing the right thing...
I've got wicked thoughts brewing. Many evil deeds I've done.. I'm looking for a reason, For a reason not to run........
........ this verse clicks to me cause i think every man has to deal with having temptations and regrets we all battle.... some less, others... Me More than others After being in the military, getting cheated on while deployed and then my recent ex...... I've been traveling or on the run.... from everything and myself...
Cuz I've always been dark With light somewhere in the distance. The way he sings this chorus.... It's so True.... I guess to me this line is whatever keeps you alive whatever keeps you whole, makes you want to stay alive, that slim ray of hope of things turning out for the better... it keeps us going. Whatever makes this hell bearable would be your light in a sense.
I've got no destination. No place to call my own. With dallas being on the road all the time i bet he doesn't really feel like he's ever settled down or really felt like he's had a home.... I can relate since I've stayed in about 30 different places and had to live outta duffle bags, luggage, and what not going from state to state, base to base, a few times countries... It takes a toll on you
I'll explore the constellations, Til I find the course I'm mean to hone
I think he is trying to display his love for Canada because To Mr. Green, Home is Canada :3 But in America, Wisconsin is basically north of most of our country...... Be it north west, Or north east.
But come fever or come famine, Come the biting winter cold, Just put two coins upon my eyelids So I can pay the boatman's toll
the first two lines are implying if he were to die, be it disease infested or natural so be it. The last two lines are extremely significant. If you know Dallas, he doesn't really believe in, don't quote me on this but it's either God, or Christianity ... But yeah... i got distracted be back later lmao