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.
Rewind the film again
I'd love to see my joy, my friends
Rewind the film again
So I can fall asleep content
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
I want to feel small
Lying in my mother's arms
Playing my old records
Hoping that they never stop
There's too much heartbreak
In the nothing of the now
I want to see it all
Never want to let it go
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
Let me hide under the sheets
And celebrate the boredom
Let me hide under the sheets
With my brave old one
Rewind the film again
I'd love to see my joy, my friends
Rewind the film again
So I can fall asleep content
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
I want to feel small
Holding on my father's hands
Playing all the records
Praying that they'll never stop
There is too much heartbreak
In the nothing of the now
I want to see it all
Never going to let you down
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
I want the world to see all the love
And security, my childhood dreams
But now I am a busted flush
And I am waiting for the night to come
So rewind the film again
I'd love to see my joy, my friends
Yes, rewind the film again
So I can fall asleep content
I'd love to see my joy, my friends
Rewind the film again
So I can fall asleep content
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
I want to feel small
Lying in my mother's arms
Playing my old records
Hoping that they never stop
There's too much heartbreak
In the nothing of the now
I want to see it all
Never want to let it go
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
Let me hide under the sheets
And celebrate the boredom
Let me hide under the sheets
With my brave old one
Rewind the film again
I'd love to see my joy, my friends
Rewind the film again
So I can fall asleep content
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
I want to feel small
Holding on my father's hands
Playing all the records
Praying that they'll never stop
There is too much heartbreak
In the nothing of the now
I want to see it all
Never going to let you down
Rewind the film once more
Turn back the pages of my post
Rewind the film once more
I want the world to see it all
I want the world to see all the love
And security, my childhood dreams
But now I am a busted flush
And I am waiting for the night to come
So rewind the film again
I'd love to see my joy, my friends
Yes, rewind the film again
So I can fall asleep content
Lyrics submitted by manic4manics, edited by symonh
Rewind the Film Lyrics as written by James Bradfield David Axlerod
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
An elderly man reflecting back on his life, particuarly the childhood he so misses and his dead friends and parents.