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.
I wrote this song for my father
Sometimes I feel he never gave
A damn about me
Though he raised me like he should
Did he understand me? No, no, I don't think so.
I wrote this song for my mother
She had to leave me, when I was younger
She said son, seek this life and keep an open mind
But in my mind's eye
I am free now
Free to live without my fears
I believe now
There's a reason why I'm here
It's to try to do good
It's to try to do better
Who will I be for my daughter?
This little baby, she means the world to me
Will I relive their mistakes?
Or do things the right way?
For her sake!
I am free now
Free to live without my fears
I believe now
There's a reason why I'm here
Can I be a man?
One that understands
How to love more patiently
I'll be free now
I'll be free now.
And we dream of the day, when our kids can play
In the streets with no fear of them being taken away
Fathers raise their sons with respect and love
Handle anger and pain with no need for no guns
If we hope to be free it takes you and me
To start over here and now
'Cause this world is, the way it is, it's how we raise our kids.
I wrote this song for my mother, wrote this song for our father
So hopefully we can come together
And hopefully make things a little better.
I am free now
Free to live without my fears
I believe now
There's a reason why I'm here.
Can I be a man?
One that understands
How to love more patiently
I'll be free now
I'll be free now
I'll be free now
I'll be free now.
Sometimes I feel he never gave
A damn about me
Though he raised me like he should
Did he understand me? No, no, I don't think so.
I wrote this song for my mother
She had to leave me, when I was younger
She said son, seek this life and keep an open mind
But in my mind's eye
I am free now
Free to live without my fears
I believe now
There's a reason why I'm here
It's to try to do good
It's to try to do better
Who will I be for my daughter?
This little baby, she means the world to me
Will I relive their mistakes?
Or do things the right way?
For her sake!
I am free now
Free to live without my fears
I believe now
There's a reason why I'm here
Can I be a man?
One that understands
How to love more patiently
I'll be free now
I'll be free now.
And we dream of the day, when our kids can play
In the streets with no fear of them being taken away
Fathers raise their sons with respect and love
Handle anger and pain with no need for no guns
If we hope to be free it takes you and me
To start over here and now
'Cause this world is, the way it is, it's how we raise our kids.
I wrote this song for my mother, wrote this song for our father
So hopefully we can come together
And hopefully make things a little better.
I am free now
Free to live without my fears
I believe now
There's a reason why I'm here.
Can I be a man?
One that understands
How to love more patiently
I'll be free now
I'll be free now
I'll be free now
I'll be free now.
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I believe this song is Kellin reflecting on his life and reflecting on everything that has happened to him. Now that he is married and has Copeland (his daughter) he wants to be there for her but remembering how he had a broken family he fears he is going to relive those same mistakes and be a bad father. He wants to be a good man and he says he is "free now" maybe free to make his own decisions? I believe he letting go of his fears of not being a good man and he is going to the best he can.