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’re feeling like you’re going down. You’re throwing in the towel. Yeah, you’re through. Don’t tell me how it’s going down. Yeah.
So come on, a little closer. I’ll take you from Burden Avenue. And I won’t be your burden ever, no.
And so far, I can’t tell anything apart. Where’s the love you’re after?
So far, I can’t tell anything.
Calling out your name. I hear they only lay you down. Do what you have to make it right. Right.
And I won’t be your holy roller. Everywhere I go, it rains on me. Carry on with your own life.
When I tell you you’re the one, you run like hell.
You’re feeling like you’re going down. You’re sinking ship is big enough for two. Tell me you’re alone, I will be the one who’s there for you.
So come on, a little closer. I’ll take you from Burden Avenue. And I won’t be your burden ever, no.
And so far, I can’t tell anything apart. Where’s the love you’re after?
So far, I can’t tell anything.
Calling out your name. I hear they only lay you down. Do what you have to make it right. Right.
And I won’t be your holy roller. Everywhere I go, it rains on me. Carry on with your own life.
When I tell you you’re the one.
We’re running out, we’re running out of time.We’re running out.
We’re run, we’re running out of time. We’re run.
By the way, feed your horses and I’ll be sure to find the fire behind your eyes. Yeah.
By the way, feed your horses and my willingness to fight. By the way, feed your horses and I’ll be on your side.
I’ll tell you you’re the one who opened up my eyes. If you try again to love, then I’ll be on your side.
You’ll never know, you’ll never know, you’ll never know if you don’t try. You’ll never know, you’ll never know, you’ll never know if you’re alive.
Calling out your name I, run. Calling out your name. I'm calling out your name. Calling out your name.
Calling out your name. I hear they only lay you down. Do what you have to make it right. Right.
And I won’t be your holy roller. Everywhere I go, it rains on me. You know.
And I'll tell you you’re the one who’s opened up my eyes. I’ll show you all the things you bring into my life, oh yeah.
So come on, a little closer. I’ll take you from Burden Avenue. And I won’t be your burden ever, no.
And so far, I can’t tell anything apart. Where’s the love you’re after?
So far, I can’t tell anything.
Calling out your name. I hear they only lay you down. Do what you have to make it right. Right.
And I won’t be your holy roller. Everywhere I go, it rains on me. Carry on with your own life.
When I tell you you’re the one, you run like hell.
You’re feeling like you’re going down. You’re sinking ship is big enough for two. Tell me you’re alone, I will be the one who’s there for you.
So come on, a little closer. I’ll take you from Burden Avenue. And I won’t be your burden ever, no.
And so far, I can’t tell anything apart. Where’s the love you’re after?
So far, I can’t tell anything.
Calling out your name. I hear they only lay you down. Do what you have to make it right. Right.
And I won’t be your holy roller. Everywhere I go, it rains on me. Carry on with your own life.
When I tell you you’re the one.
We’re running out, we’re running out of time.We’re running out.
We’re run, we’re running out of time. We’re run.
By the way, feed your horses and I’ll be sure to find the fire behind your eyes. Yeah.
By the way, feed your horses and my willingness to fight. By the way, feed your horses and I’ll be on your side.
I’ll tell you you’re the one who opened up my eyes. If you try again to love, then I’ll be on your side.
You’ll never know, you’ll never know, you’ll never know if you don’t try. You’ll never know, you’ll never know, you’ll never know if you’re alive.
Calling out your name I, run. Calling out your name. I'm calling out your name. Calling out your name.
Calling out your name. I hear they only lay you down. Do what you have to make it right. Right.
And I won’t be your holy roller. Everywhere I go, it rains on me. You know.
And I'll tell you you’re the one who’s opened up my eyes. I’ll show you all the things you bring into my life, oh yeah.
Lyrics submitted by Vbdude
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.