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.
You looked at me
As you spoke the words of a red rose
The silence that followed, it cradled, I swallowed
It could embrace it naturally
And then you opened a gate
It led to a path which
Bloomed as we watched into perfect grass
And naïve I chased you, blinded by petty fantasy
The power of you, it drifted into me
Desires posed as possibilities in my foolish head
And under your spell, I drew the blinds over the red
And I saw white, only white
Perhaps I diverted my sight to the daylight
Oh, I chased you, blinded by petty fantasy
The power of you, it drifted into me
And then the light begun to flicker
And under it I begun to wither
(x2)
Flicker
As you spoke the words of a red rose
The silence that followed, it cradled, I swallowed
It could embrace it naturally
And then you opened a gate
It led to a path which
Bloomed as we watched into perfect grass
And naïve I chased you, blinded by petty fantasy
The power of you, it drifted into me
Desires posed as possibilities in my foolish head
And under your spell, I drew the blinds over the red
And I saw white, only white
Perhaps I diverted my sight to the daylight
Oh, I chased you, blinded by petty fantasy
The power of you, it drifted into me
And then the light begun to flicker
And under it I begun to wither
(x2)
Flicker
Lyrics submitted by JMWalz
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