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.
None of you seem to understand,
I'm not locked in here with you..
You're locked in here with me.
Why do I need this so badly?
Is this my act's finale?
It comes to me like water in death valley,
The abyss stares right through me.
Where did the last five years of my life go?
Where did they go?
How did I end up in this hole,
adorned in thorns and bones?
The child in me, overexposed.
My eyes, oh, my eyes!
And then the water dried up in the ocean,
and then I knew I was drowning.
In this world where we are grains of sand,
a drop of water is all we have.
So we savor it all until it's gone.
I think you've been afraid for your whole life,
When people looking in from the outside.
Impending peril, I hear them drumming.
Black lungs and beaten sons - I know what's coming.
I have never been so alone.
This life is yours to atone.
Too young to face demise,
Will your values see the next sunrise?
Why won't you answer me?
You fucking coward,
Get on your knees.
We're done running.
This time we're going to stand our ground.
No respect. No hope. No home.
We're screaming out loud.
And then the water dried up in the ocean,
and then I knew I was drowning.
And when all the hope I had was gone,
I knew I'd only last so long.
And like an anchor falling from the sky,
I hit the bottom.
Part of the dream that's due in time.
They're building bridges for us now.
Why do we think we're living a lie?
The fear - the regret -
For lives we have left behind.
Not knowing what's next in time.
We're done running.
I'm not locked in here with you..
You're locked in here with me.
Why do I need this so badly?
Is this my act's finale?
It comes to me like water in death valley,
The abyss stares right through me.
Where did the last five years of my life go?
Where did they go?
How did I end up in this hole,
adorned in thorns and bones?
The child in me, overexposed.
My eyes, oh, my eyes!
And then the water dried up in the ocean,
and then I knew I was drowning.
In this world where we are grains of sand,
a drop of water is all we have.
So we savor it all until it's gone.
I think you've been afraid for your whole life,
When people looking in from the outside.
Impending peril, I hear them drumming.
Black lungs and beaten sons - I know what's coming.
I have never been so alone.
This life is yours to atone.
Too young to face demise,
Will your values see the next sunrise?
Why won't you answer me?
You fucking coward,
Get on your knees.
We're done running.
This time we're going to stand our ground.
No respect. No hope. No home.
We're screaming out loud.
And then the water dried up in the ocean,
and then I knew I was drowning.
And when all the hope I had was gone,
I knew I'd only last so long.
And like an anchor falling from the sky,
I hit the bottom.
Part of the dream that's due in time.
They're building bridges for us now.
Why do we think we're living a lie?
The fear - the regret -
For lives we have left behind.
Not knowing what's next in time.
We're done running.
Lyrics submitted by Firebertt
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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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