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 was born and I died and just a moment went by
I was a son and a brother, I stared out over the water
Waves crashed on the shore
This is the day that I was born
I burn on, I burn on
Autumn gold beneath my feet
I burn on, I burn on
Walk through the city while it sleeps
I burn on, I burn on
This is the day that I was born
Caught snowflakes on my tongue
I thought I knew what love was
A thousand pushpins in a map only to prove I could exist
Don't hold on too hard to the way that everything was
I burn on, I burn on
Endless summer in my heart
I burn on, I burn on
I'm not afraid to fall apart
I burn on, I burn on
This is the day that I was born
My eyes are fading
Half-lives spilled on handwritten pages
She's already sleeping
I'll just lay here and listen to her breathing
Autumn gold beneath my feet
Endless summer in my heart
This is the day that I was born
I was born and I died and just a moment went by
I was a son and a brother, I stared out over the water
Waves crashed on the shore
This is the day that I was born
I burn on, I burn on
Autumn gold beneath my feet
I burn on, I burn on
Walk through the city while it sleeps
I burn on, I burn on
This is the day that I was born
Caught snowflakes on my tongue
I thought I knew what love was
A thousand pushpins in a map only to prove I could exist
Don't hold on too hard to the way that everything was
I burn on, I burn on
Endless summer in my heart
I burn on, I burn on
I'm not afraid to fall apart
I burn on, I burn on
This is the day that I was born
My eyes are fading
Half-lives spilled on handwritten pages
She's already sleeping
I'll just lay here and listen to her breathing
Autumn gold beneath my feet
Endless summer in my heart
This is the day that I was born
I was born and I died and just a moment went by
Lyrics submitted by dildohitler
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This is by far the best song on Metropole, for me it isn't even a contest, this is the kind of song that The Lawrence Arms are at their best at. It's got a deep meaning to it I think. Not really sure what i think it means, but maybe it could possibly be existentialism on a birthday?
Yes it's my favourite song on Metropole as well, by far. I just wish it was longer - only two minutes of music! <br /> <br /> The album as a whole is an existential reflection on growing older, so I think you're right. References to autumn, summer and winter ('snowflakes on my tongue') as he 'burns on' suggest the unstoppable passing of the years. <br /> <br /> The only likely candidate I can find for the "October Blood" title is an obscure book from the 80s, and I know Chris writes a lot of songs with literary references. It seems to be about generations of women in a fashion magazine empire so I don't know if it's a direct reference (like The Raw & Searing Flesh is about Bulgakov's novel The Master & Margarita), or whether he just borrowed the title. Next time I'm at a show I might try and find him and ask - they normally hang out in the crowd a bit after they play, although Chris is a lot harder to get hold of than Brendan and Neil. <br /> <br /> Regardless, this is why I love TLA. My other favourite bands from the early to mid-2000s are all producing radio-friendly commercial trash these days (looking in your direction, Alkaline Trio, Rise Against, Gaslight Anthem...) but TLA are still touring small venues and pumping out killer tunes with some of the most thought-provoking lyrics you'll ever find. Only Bad Religion comes close for making me think, but TLA's lyrics are much more poetic and beautiful.