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.
As long as she went just to school
The world still seemed to be alright
Now she's feeling like a fool
As a working girl, night by night
In a restaurant at the gas station
From eleven 'til 5am
Her boyfriend Steven, a mechanic
Is the only, the only ray of hope
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary, ordinary town
As long as Steven's unemployed
She has to do that stupid job
And while she works to fill the void
He has got another girl
Well, she feels betrayed at that gas station
She doesn't want to work anymore
Feeling lonely and disappointed well
In this old, in this old boring town
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary, ordinary town
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary, ordinary town
The world still seemed to be alright
Now she's feeling like a fool
As a working girl, night by night
In a restaurant at the gas station
From eleven 'til 5am
Her boyfriend Steven, a mechanic
Is the only, the only ray of hope
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary, ordinary town
As long as Steven's unemployed
She has to do that stupid job
And while she works to fill the void
He has got another girl
Well, she feels betrayed at that gas station
She doesn't want to work anymore
Feeling lonely and disappointed well
In this old, in this old boring town
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary, ordinary town
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary
Feelin' high and feelin' down
Should I smile or wear a frown
Feelin' high and feelin' down
In this ordinary, ordinary town
Lyrics submitted by BekkaZ
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
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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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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