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 caught you watching me under the light
Can I realign?
They say it's easy to leave you behind
I don't wanna try
Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don't wanna wait for you
Don't wanna have to lose
All that I've compromised
To feel another high
I've got to keep it down tonight
And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
So let me go
Don't you remember how I used to like
Being on the line?
I dreamed you dreamed of me calling out my name
Is it worth the price?
Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don't wanna wait for you
Don't wanna have to lose
All that I've compromised
To feel another high
I've got to keep it down tonight
And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
I had to break myself to carry on
No love and no admission
Take this from me tonight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh-oh
And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
So let me go
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Can I realign?
They say it's easy to leave you behind
I don't wanna try
Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don't wanna wait for you
Don't wanna have to lose
All that I've compromised
To feel another high
I've got to keep it down tonight
And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
So let me go
Don't you remember how I used to like
Being on the line?
I dreamed you dreamed of me calling out my name
Is it worth the price?
Cut cover, take that test
Hold courage to your chest
Don't wanna wait for you
Don't wanna have to lose
All that I've compromised
To feel another high
I've got to keep it down tonight
And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
I had to break myself to carry on
No love and no admission
Take this from me tonight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh, let's fight
Oh-oh-oh
And oh, oh, oh
I was a king under your control
And oh, oh, oh
I wanna feel like you've let me go
So let me go
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Let go, let go, let go of everything
Lyrics submitted by PeterLewis, edited by EmilySophieRose, Mellow_Harsher
King Lyrics as written by Michael Thomas Goldsworthy Oliver Alexander Thornton
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree that this song has a double meaning and could be about a destructive love or (and) a drug addiction.
“I used to like being on the line” can refer to being tied to addiction and drugs like cocaine that are often consumed in lines.
“Don’t wanna have to lose all that I've compromised to feel another high. I’ve got to keep it down tonight“ The character is rehabilitating and knows that drugs are not good for him.
But still he feels this hunger (craving).
“I was a king under your control” Under the influence of uplifting drugs you can feel like a king.
“I had to break myself to carry on . No love and no admission . Take this from me tonight . Oh-oh, let's fight.” It’s hard to stop an addiction. Certain areas of the mind keep crying for more substance for a long time. Stopping an addiction can be compared with a fight.
This song empowered me often in my fight. Thank you.