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 tear your heart out from behind
Remorse survives as mine
You're unaffected still unaware
Of the damage done
The shame it takes me
The pain it breaks me
What have I done
How do I have to
For all is gone now?
I feel the ice cold dagger
Make its way between my ribs again
I stand before disaster
Defiantly I lie then suffocate
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
No way to heal
I try to mend it to build it back
But the wounds become a scar
You're lying face down and you're veiled in red
The sight wont leave my head
The shame it takes me
The pain it breaks me
What have I done
How do I have to
For all is gone now?
I feel the ice cold dagger
Make its way between my ribs again
I stand before disaster
Defiantly I lie then suffocate
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
No way to heal
No way to heal
I stand before disaster
Defiantly alive and suffocate
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time, I'm all out of time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
No way to heal
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time, time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
There's no way to heal
Remorse survives as mine
You're unaffected still unaware
Of the damage done
The shame it takes me
The pain it breaks me
What have I done
How do I have to
For all is gone now?
I feel the ice cold dagger
Make its way between my ribs again
I stand before disaster
Defiantly I lie then suffocate
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
No way to heal
I try to mend it to build it back
But the wounds become a scar
You're lying face down and you're veiled in red
The sight wont leave my head
The shame it takes me
The pain it breaks me
What have I done
How do I have to
For all is gone now?
I feel the ice cold dagger
Make its way between my ribs again
I stand before disaster
Defiantly I lie then suffocate
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
No way to heal
No way to heal
I stand before disaster
Defiantly alive and suffocate
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time, I'm all out of time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
No way to heal
I'm running on empty
I'm chasing a dead dream
I'm all out of time, time
Clutching the will
Only to feel
There's no way to heal
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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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Great version of a great song,
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